College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Family And Consumer Sciences

Share

Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Family And Consumer Sciences.

Entry Level Salary
$34,257
Median Salary
$60,975
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
27.7%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,439,000
Entry (Early)
$34,257
Median (Prime)
$60,975
High (Prime)
$61,903

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-147k
+89k
+96k
$25k / yr
-237k
-1k
+6k
$50k / yr
-327k
-91k
-84k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
33
32
$25k / yr
Never
Never
59
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-218%
-1%
6%
$50k / yr
-150%
-42%
-38%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate30.4%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Elementary and middle school teachers

9.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$42,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,526|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%

Preschool and kindergarten teachers

5.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$29,890
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$37,485|$40,090
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%

Education and childcare administrators

3.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$63,000|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%

Management occupations

2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,063
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$89,548|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Social workers, all other

2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,116
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,606|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%

Registered nurses

2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$74,000|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%

Teaching assistants

2.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$18,890
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$20,325|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%

Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$33,037
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$38,936|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%

Secondary school teachers

1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,170|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%

Childcare workers

1.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$23,598
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$31,238|$32,050
openings
160,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2.9%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
apparel and textiles.Undergrad Certificate20$22,805 - $22,805
apparel and textiles.Associate's Degree26$29,584 - $58,876
apparel and textiles.Bachelor's Degree75$38,226 - $94,967
apparel and textiles.Master's Degree19$72,490 - $72,490
family and consumer economics and related studies.Bachelor's Degree22$39,268 - $78,435
family and consumer economics and related studies.Master's Degree7$60,227 - $92,464
family and consumer sciences/human sciences business services.Undergrad Certificate2$60,484 - $60,484
family and consumer sciences/human sciences business services.Bachelor's Degree13$53,410 - $128,600
family and consumer sciences/human sciences business services.Master's Degree5Data N/A
family and consumer sciences/human sciences, general.Associate's Degree8Data N/A
family and consumer sciences/human sciences, general.Bachelor's Degree82$34,318 - $60,550
family and consumer sciences/human sciences, general.Master's Degree28$51,714 - $75,999
family and consumer sciences/human sciences, general.Doctoral Degree5$70,180 - $70,180
family and consumer sciences/human sciences, other.Bachelor's Degree5Data N/A
foods, nutrition, and related services.Undergrad Certificate24$41,066 - $41,066
foods, nutrition, and related services.Associate's Degree34$47,446 - $47,446
foods, nutrition, and related services.Bachelor's Degree92$40,076 - $74,005
foods, nutrition, and related services.Post-bacc Certificate2$67,447 - $67,447
foods, nutrition, and related services.Master's Degree67$48,669 - $83,433
foods, nutrition, and related services.Doctoral Degree11Data N/A
foods, nutrition, and related services.Graduate Certificate6Data N/A
housing and human environments.Undergrad Certificate3$35,492 - $35,492
housing and human environments.Bachelor's Degree14$52,861 - $82,824
housing and human environments.Master's Degree6$133,013 - $133,013