Best colleges for Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences by graduate earnings are Illinois State University ($48,974), Iowa State University ($43,783) and Texas Tech University ($35,501), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Illinois State University (Normal, IL): $48,974, 50 graduates a year
- Iowa State University (Ames, IA): $43,783, 22 graduates a year
- Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX): $35,501, 380 graduates a year
- University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM): $35,369, 39 graduates a year
- The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL): $35,059, 113 graduates a year
Compare 75 U.S. colleges offering Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 34 states.
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,910 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 19.01 and the Farm and Home Management Educators occupation (BLS SOC).
About Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences programs
The Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences program focuses on understanding the complexities of human development, personal finance, nutrition, and consumer issues. It prepares students to address various aspects of family and community well-being through a comprehensive curriculum that includes practical applications in everyday life. This program is ideal for those interested in enhancing life skills and contributing positively to society.
Learn more about Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences →
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers a range of topics, including nutrition, home management, and food production, equipping learners with the knowledge needed to address community needs and promote healthy lifestyles.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,974 | 50 | 65% | — | $20,322 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,783 | 22 | 75% | — | $23,250 |
| 3 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,501 | 380 | 69% | — | $26,690 |
| 4 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,369 | 39 | 55% | — | $20,000 |
| 5 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,059 | 113 | 73% | — | $25,125 |
| 6 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,452 | 98 | 53% | — | $27,500 |
| 7 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,869 | 43 | 56% | — | $14,108 |
| 8 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,721 | 49 | 57% | — | $17,000 |
| 9 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,113 | 50 | 47% | — | $26,000 |
| 10 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,008 | 111 | 69% | — | $12,906 |
| 11 | Montana State University Bozeman, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,910 | 72 | 57% | — | $25,000 |
| 12 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,464 | 24 | 71% | — | $27,250 |
| 13 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,250 | 26 | 58% | — | $25,000 |
| 14 | University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,050 | 55 | 54% | — | $31,000 |
| 15 | South Carolina State University Orangeburg, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,618 | 34 | 37% | — | $34,625 |
| 16 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,138 | 31 | 55% | — | $28,327 |
| 17 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,114 | 26 | 58% | — | $20,975 |
| 18 | Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,399 | 33 | 45% | — | $25,401 |
| 19 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,888 | 27 | 57% | — | $27,791 |
| 20 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,887 | 3 | 59% | — | $26,000 |
| 21 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,301 | 17 | 35% | — | $28,000 |
| 22 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,977 | 11 | 50% | — | $17,212 |
| 23 | Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,466 | 4 | 53% | $19,485 | $26,500 |
| 24 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,093 | 18 | 54% | — | $25,125 |
| 25 | North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,586 | 5 | 42% | — | $31,976 |
Specializations within Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 19.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 34 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-9021, Farm and Home Management Educators, and its national outlook.
The career outlook for graduates in Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences shows a decline of 2.5% in job growth, with an estimated 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is approximately $58,120, and a typical education requirement is a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 19.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 19.01 (Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1192 | Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 25-9021 | Farm and Home Management Educatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Common questions
What is Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences?+
It is a program that focuses on human development, personal finance, nutrition, and consumer issues.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, among other skills.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2.5% with about 1,100 annual openings.
What is the typical education level required?+
A master's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences graduates earn?+
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,910, College Scorecard (2019); the Farm and Home Management Educators occupation pays about $61,060 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences?+
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences maps to CIP 19.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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