by our College Data Analytics TeamConsumer Economics was the 893rd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 140 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 15 over the prior year, a growth of 10.7%.
Our 2023 Best Consumer Economics Schools ranking analyzes 4 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for consumer economics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of consumer economics programs later in this article.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is a required skill for consumer economics majors. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional consumer economics certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Consumer Economics degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in consumer economics to the highest consumer economics degree, a . The time it takes to complete a consumer economics degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to consumer economics, with approximately 58.6% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for consumer economics workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 58.6% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 24.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.9% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 6.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.5% |
Most workers in consumer economics have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in consumer economics have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which consumer economics career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your consumer economics degree? Consumer Economics careers are expected to grow 7.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to consumer economics.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Advisors | 11,200 | 7.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for consumer economics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for consumer economics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers consumer economics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Advisors | $52,700 |
With over 10 different consumer economics degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased consumer economics school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Family & Consumer Economics area of study, Consumer Economics has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Family Resource Management Studies | 992 |
| Other Family & Consumer Economics & Related Services | 292 |
| Consumer Services & Advocacy | 30 |
