by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Family Systems covers Family Systems. A Program That Focuses On The Family As A Social Unit In Its Developmental, Dynamic, Comparative, And Structural Aspects, And The Significance Of The Family As A System That Impacts Individuals And Society. Includes Instruction In Related Principles Of Sociology, Psychology, Behavioral Sciences, And The Humanities. Continue reading for the essential details every family systems student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering family systems programs.
In the U.S., family systems is a widely-pursued major, with 765 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Family Systems Schools ranking analyzes these 18 schools to determine the best overall colleges for family systems students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of family systems programs later in this article.
Studies in Family Systems develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations family systems graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a family systems program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a family systems major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several family systems 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 | 10 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 322 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 433 |
People currently working in careers related to family systems tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 52.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 27.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.8% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in family systems careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in family systems opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to family systems.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to family systems.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of family systems 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 systems graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers family systems grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
With 18 different family systems programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased family systems school rankings to help you.
Students interested in family systems, 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 and Community Services | 1,267 |
| 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.
