Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies
Focuses on the design and implementation of policies and processes contributing to successful individual and family resource management. Covers financial goal-setting and strategies; household income, assets, and debt management; preventing and resolving financial difficulties; and the use of relevant public resources.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 4 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Family Resource Management Studies, General
- Focuses on the design and implementation of policies and processes contributing to successful individual and family resource management. Covers financial goal-setting and strategies; household income, assets, and debt management; preventing and resolving financial difficulties; and the use of relevant public resources.
- Consumer Economics
- Focuses on the application of micro- and macro-economic theory to consumer behavior and individual and family consumption of goods and services. Covers modeling, economic forecasting, indexing, price theory, and analysis of individual commodities and services and/or groups of related commodities and services.
- Consumer Services and Advocacy
- 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. Covers consumer advocacy, family management systems, ecological impacts of consumption practices, and analyzing and testing product quality and safety.
- Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other
- Family and consumer economics and related services not listed above.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Personal Financial Advisors
- Median pay
- $105,070
- Hiring change through 2035
- 1.4%
- Job openings a year
- 17,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingFarm and Home Management Educators
- Median pay
- $60,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- −3.2%
- Job openings a year
- 800
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyFamily and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $75,870
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.4%
- Job openings a year
- 200
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $31,703 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.
| College | Degrees a year | Earnings, first year out | Admit rate | Average annual cost after aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Digital Immersion AZ | 208 | $31,703 | 64% | — |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln NE | 151 | $29,642 | 77% | $15,000 |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion AZ | 131 | $31,703 | 90% | $17,000 |
| University of Georgia GA | 107 | $41,613 | 37% | $13,000 |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus OH | 57 | $40,172 | 51% | $10,000 |
| The University of Alabama AL | 43 | $39,629 | 76% | $22,000 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN | 43 | $34,575 | 77% | $10,000 |
| Middle Tennessee State University TN | 39 | $28,099 | 68% | $13,000 |
| Texas Tech University TX | 37 | $45,136 | 71% | $17,000 |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney NE | 30 | $28,393 | 86% | $15,000 |
| Texas State University TX | 30 | $30,224 | 89% | $14,000 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville TN | 28 | $42,988 | 46% | $18,000 |
| Tennessee State University TN | 17 | $28,266 | 93% | $16,000 |
| Iowa State University IA | 16 | $37,468 | 89% | $15,000 |
| South Dakota State University SD | 15 | $37,450 | 99% | $18,000 |
| Virginia State University VA | 7 | $30,141 | 89% | $19,000 |
| University of Kentucky KY | 4 | — | 92% | $16,000 |