by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Housing involves the study of Housing And Human Environments. Continue reading for the essential details every housing major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering housing programs.
In the U.S., housing draws strong interest, with 255 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Housing Schools ranking analyzes these 13 schools to determine the best overall colleges for housing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of housing programs later in this article.
Programs in Housing emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations housing graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a housing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a housing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several housing 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 150 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 95 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to housing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 43.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 4.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in housing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are many different career paths you can take with a housing degree. This program is very interdisciplinary and the career path you take will depend on your interests and background. Some of the more common career choices are Residential Property Management or Design. Other careers that might interest you are a Housing Counselor, Relocation Counselor, Leasing Agent, Kitchen and Bath Designer, or Home Insurance Agent.
Studying housing can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to housing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to housing.
| 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% |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | 371,665 | -0.2% |
| Security Managers | 360,967 | 0.6% |
| Facilities Managers | 268,353 | -0.6% |
| Interior Designers | 186,151 | -1.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of housing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,937 |
| 4 years | $53,705 |
| 5 years | $60,675 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for housing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers housing grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Facilities Managers | $157,669 |
| Security Managers | $104,128 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $64,460 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
| Interior Designers | $55,861 |
With 13 different housing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased housing school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in housing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Housing and Human Environments, General | 186 |
| Facilities Planning and Management | 59 |
| Housing and Human Environments, Other | 10 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
