Best institutions to study Consumer Services and Advocacy
A program that focuses on providing end-use advice and representational services to individuals and groups within a variety of settings, and the analytical and research techniques needed to protect consumers from unsafe, unreliable, and/or unhealthy products and services.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 44 Consumer Services and Advocacy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0403, 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 Services and Advocacy programs
A program that focuses on providing end-use advice and representational services to individuals and groups within a variety of settings, and the analytical and research techniques needed to protect consumers from unsafe, unreliable, and/or unhealthy products and services. Includes instruction in consumer advocacy, family management systems, ecological impacts of consumption practices, and analyzing and testing product quality and safety.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Consumer Services and Advocacy program, part of Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies, is designed for individuals interested in providing guidance and representation to consumers. This program equips students with the analytical and research skills necessary to protect consumers from unsafe and unreliable products and services across various settings.
Students in this program will gain core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers topics such as consumer advocacy, family management systems, and the ecological impacts of consumption practices, ensuring a well-rounded education in consumer services.
Credentials awarded
What Consumer Services and Advocacy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate22 graduates / yr · 1 institution50%
- Bachelor's degree21 graduates / yr · 1 institution48%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.3%
Graduates over time
Consumer Services and Advocacy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 57 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2019 | 39 |
| 2020 | 25 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 49 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 44 |
Top 3 institutions for Consumer Services and Advocacy, 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 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicPost-degree cert. | 22 | 73% | — | $41,201 |
| 2 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 21 | 55% | — | $45,666 |
| 3 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 65% | — | — |
* 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 Services and Advocacy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | 22 | The University of Alabama22 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 21 | Texas State University21 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | University of Utah1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-9021, Farm and Home Management Educators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Consumer Services and Advocacy program can pursue careers as Farm and Home Management Educators or Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers. 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 19.0403
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 Services and Advocacy 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 degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Postbaccalaureate certificate, a Bachelor's degree, and an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
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 Services and Advocacy?+
Consumer Services and Advocacy is CIP 19.0403 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 providing end-use advice and representational services to individuals and groups within a variety of settings, and the analytical and research techniques needed to protect consumers from unsafe, unreliable, and/or unhealthy products and services. Includes instruction in consumer advocacy, family management systems, ecological impacts of consumption practices, and analyzing and testing product quality and safety.
How many institutions offer Consumer Services and Advocacy programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Consumer Services and Advocacy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 44 credentials in the year. That is 4.0% of all Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies graduates.
How much do Consumer Services and Advocacy 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 Services and Advocacy 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 $45,666 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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