2026 Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Family & Consumer Economics](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/family-consumer-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for family & consumer economics students.
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2026 Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the family & consumer economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among family & consumer economics schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $39,081. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned it the #2 place for family & consumer economics. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $19,750. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for family & consumer economics. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $35,242. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in family & consumer economics will find it at Kansas State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value family & consumer economics schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $18,062 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. That is a strong return on a $18,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
South Dakota State University placed #6 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $23,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $44,891. Set against $23,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
