2026 Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value family & consumer economics schools.
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2026 Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the family & consumer economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Family & Consumer Economics Schools
University Of Georgia earned the #1 spot for value among family & consumer economics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $22,652. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $48,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #2 place for family & consumer economics. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, 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. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for family & consumer economics. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $24,752. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $36,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in family & consumer economics will find it at Tennessee State University, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $30,099. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $32,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,099 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in family & consumer economics will find it at Virginia State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Soon after graduation, family & consumer economics degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for family & consumer economics graduates is $19,822. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $45,666. Set against $19,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value family & consumer economics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $39,081. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #8 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. 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.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #9 position for value in family & consumer economics this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $35,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value family & consumer economics schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. 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. Set against $17,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #11 position for value in family & consumer economics this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $18,062 in student loans. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Set against $18,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
South Dakota State University placed #12 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Family & Consumer Economics graduates carry a median of $23,789 in student loans. Early-career family & consumer economics graduates make about $44,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for family & consumer economics. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #14 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the family & consumer economics program here. Family & Consumer Economics graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $53,997 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #15 spot for family & consumer economics value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, 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. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Other Family & Consumer Economics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value family & consumer economics schools at other degree levels:
View All Family & Consumer Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
