by our College Data Analytics TeamFamily and Consumer Sciences, or home economics, is much more than sewing pillows and learning how to cook simple recipes. This major provides you with a variety of classes preparing you to make informed decisions and so you can help others reach a high quality of life. With a degree in family and consumer sciences you will be able to help individuals, families, and communities with well-being, family relations, child development, housing, personal finance, and nutrition. You will get a chance to explore a broad range of disciplines as well as dive deeply into the topics that interest you the most.
Some courses that you may take while in college can include: child development, clothing, consumer economics, sociology, health science, family financial management, food science, human biology, housing, meal management, human development, and nutrition.
A major in General Family & Consumer Sciences explores Family And Consumer Sciences/human Sciences, General. Read on to learn the important information every general family & consumer sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general family & consumer sciences programs.
Across the country, general family & consumer sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 2,227 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 80 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general family & consumer sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general family & consumer sciences programs later in this article.
Studies in General Family & Consumer Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general family & consumer sciences graduates commonly enter.
This major is great for people who like to do a lot of practical things. You will not only learn how to improve your cooking in taste, but also in nutritional value. You will learn about interior and fashion design including how to design and sew your own clothing. You will be able to creatively express yourself in a variety of practical methods.
Another important aspect of this major is money management techniques. Students will need to use math and science to complete large research projects. Some research projects may involve interviewing and spending time with children of different ages. Students should keep an open mind as they investigate issues concerning the physically or mentally challenged or people who are impoverished. Be ready to push your boundaries as you learn different methods of improving life for diverse groups of the population.
Skills developed in a general family & consumer sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general family & consumer sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general family & consumer sciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 168 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,716 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 302 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 41 |
People currently working in careers related to general family & consumer sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 43.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.8% |
| Some college courses | 0.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general family & consumer sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
This field is vast and can interest many different people. Graduates will have received a broad education they can use in many fields. You may find jobs working in education, business, human services, or government. It is up to you what career path is most interesting to you.
Majoring in general family & consumer sciences prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to general family & consumer sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general family & consumer sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general family & consumer sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,363 |
| 4 years | $41,292 |
| 5 years | $47,614 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general family & consumer sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general family & consumer sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
With 80 different general family & consumer sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general family & consumer sciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in general family & consumer sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | 2,227 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
