Best institutions to study Consumer Economics
A program that focuses on the application of micro- and macro-economic theory to consumer behavior and individual and family consumption of goods and services.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 96 Consumer Economics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0402, a specialization of Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies (CIP 19.04), and leads most directly to the Farm and Home Management Educators occupation (BLS SOC 25-9021).
About Consumer Economics programs
A program that focuses on the application of micro- and macro-economic theory to consumer behavior and individual and family consumption of goods and services. Includes instruction in modeling, economic forecasting, indexing, price theory, and analysis of individual commodities and services and/or groups of related commodities and services.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Consumer Economics program, part of Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies, focuses on the application of economic theory to consumer behavior and the consumption of goods and services. It is designed for students interested in understanding how economic principles affect individual and family decision-making in various contexts. This program is ideal for those who wish to explore the intersection of economics and everyday life, equipping them with the skills to analyze consumer trends and behaviors. Graduates will be prepared to work in various roles that support families and communities in making informed economic choices.
Students in the Consumer Economics program will develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics like economic forecasting, price theory, and the analysis of commodities, providing a solid foundation in both micro- and macro-economic principles.
Credentials awarded
What Consumer Economics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree96 graduates / yr · 3 institutions100%
Graduates over time
Consumer Economics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 257 |
| 2013 | 221 |
| 2014 | 194 |
| 2015 | 169 |
| 2016 | 133 |
| 2017 | 150 |
| 2018 | 149 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2020 | 123 |
| 2021 | 139 |
| 2022 | 117 |
| 2023 | 91 |
| 2024 | 91 |
| 2025 | 96 |
Top 3 institutions for Consumer Economics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 44 | 90% | — | $48,620 |
| 2 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor's | 35 | 74% | — | $43,014 |
| 3 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor's | 17 | 62% | — | $44,891 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies field (CIP 19.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 3 states
Where Consumer Economics graduates come from. Each state links to all Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 1 | 44 | University of Georgia44 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 35 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville35 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 17 | South Dakota State University17 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-9021, Farm and Home Management Educators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Consumer Economics program can pursue careers as Farm and Home Management Educators or Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook indicates a decline of 2.5% in this field, with approximately 1,100 annual openings and a median wage of $58,120, typically requiring a Master's degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0402
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Farm and Home Management Educatorsprimary SOC 25-9021 | $60,220 | -2.5% Decline | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Consumer Economics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Advise farmers and demonstrate techniques in areas such as feeding and health maintenance of livestock, growing and harvesting practices, and financial planning.
- Conduct classes or deliver lectures on subjects such as nutrition, home management, and farming techniques.
- Collaborate with producers to diagnose and prevent management and production problems.
- Research information requested by farmers.
- Collect and evaluate data to determine community program needs.
- Act as an advocate for farmers or farmers' groups.
Tools and technology used
Other Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies (CIP 19.04).
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You will earn a Bachelor's degree in Consumer Economics.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Farm and Home Management Educator or a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2.5%, with around 1,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Consumer Economics?+
Consumer Economics is CIP 19.0402 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies (CIP 19.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of micro- and macro-economic theory to consumer behavior and individual and family consumption of goods and services. Includes instruction in modeling, economic forecasting, indexing, price theory, and analysis of individual commodities and services and/or groups of related commodities and services.
How many institutions offer Consumer Economics programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Consumer Economics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 96 credentials in the year. That is 8.6% of all Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies graduates.
How much do Consumer Economics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Farm and Home Management Educators occupation, which Consumer Economics most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies field report median earnings of $44,891 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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