by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Family & Community Services covers Family And Community Services. A Program That Focuses On The Development And Implementation Of Public, Private, And Voluntary Support Services For Individuals, Families, And Localities And That Prepares Individuals To Function In A Variety Of Occupations Promoting Family Life, And Family/community Development. Includes Instruction In Family Systems, Human Development, Social Services, Community Social And Economic Development, Social Policy, Voluntary Sector Activities, And Outreach And Community Education. Continue reading for the important information every family & community services major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering family & community services programs.
Across the country, family & community services is a widely-pursued major, with 1,267 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Family & Community Services Schools ranking analyzes these 66 schools to determine the best overall colleges for family & community services students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of family & community services programs later in this article.
Coursework for Family & Community Services emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations family & community services graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a family & community services program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a family & community services major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several family & community services 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 41 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 55 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 719 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 442 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to family & community services tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 70.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in family & community services careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in family & community services prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to family & community services.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to family & community services.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of family & community services graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,243 |
| 4 years | $38,875 |
| 5 years | $44,531 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for family & community services graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers family & community services grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
With 66 different family & community services programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased family & community services school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in family & community services, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 22,533 |
| Human Development and Family Studies, General | 8,444 |
| Child Development | 4,599 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 3,901 |
| Family Systems | 765 |
| Early Childhood and Family Studies | 439 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 429 |
| Adult Development and Aging | 238 |
| Parent Education Services | 126 |
| Developmental Services Worker | 59 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
