[Family & Consumer Economics](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/family-consumer-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value family & consumer economics schools.
Finding the Best Value Family & Consumer Economics School for You
The family & consumer economics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked California State University Northridge the best value for a degree in family & consumer economics in the United States. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $16,202. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value family & consumer economics schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,652 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $48,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,652 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & consumer economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $54,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for family & consumer economics. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $31,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for family & consumer economics. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $42,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #6 among the best values for family & consumer economics. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $39,081. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #7 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia State University placed #8 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,043 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $46,474. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value family & consumer economics schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,822 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $45,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Tennessee State University came in at #11 for value in family & consumer economics this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,099 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $32,793. That is a strong return on a $30,099 median debt. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #12 for value in family & consumer economics this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $22,500. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $35,242 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #13 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $18,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #14 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,844 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $43,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University earned the #15 position for value in family & consumer economics this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $27,750. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $64,842. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University earned the #16 position for value in family & consumer economics this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $23,546. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
South Dakota State University landed the #17 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $23,789 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $44,891. Set against $23,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #18 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $41,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Family & Consumer Economics Schools by Region
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Family & Consumer Economics](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/family-consumer-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
