2026 Best Value Family Consumer Economics Schools
Looking for the best-value Family Consumer Economics programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 34 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Family Consumer Economics Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Southern Crescent Technical College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Family Consumer Economics programs schools in the United States. Located in Griffin, GA, Southern Crescent Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,516, compared with $6,084 for out-of-state students. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $17,619. Median earnings reach $36,104 ten years out. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Southern Crescent Technical College
Out of the 34 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #2 spot. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $23,789. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,070 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,789 median debt. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full South Dakota State University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #3 place in the United States. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Texas Tech University Family Consumer Economics students take on a median of $27,750 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Texas Tech University report
You'll get strong value at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $24,752. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. Set against $24,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University Skysong has an acceptance rate of 67%. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Out of the 34 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Ashford University landed the #5 spot. Ashford University is a private for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,960. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $39,515. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,404 ten years after entry. Set against $39,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Ashford University
Kansas State University placed #6 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $23,546. Median earnings reach $57,262 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Get the full Kansas State University report
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $22,652 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,652 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of Utah landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. University Of Utah alumni report median earnings of $67,170 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Utah
Iowa State University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $18,062. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,105. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. See the full University Of Nebraska At Kearney profile
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Graduates carry a median of $17,844 in student loans. Median earnings reach $60,249 ten years out. Set against $17,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. More on The University Of Tennessee
The University Of Alabama landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. The University Of Alabama is a public school based in Tuscaloosa, AL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Median earnings reach $59,221 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants. More on The University Of Alabama
University Of Nebraska Lincoln offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $22,500. University Of Nebraska Lincoln alumni report median earnings of $56,887 a decade after entry. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $25,000. Median earnings reach $60,409 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,020. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Arizona landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $21,861. Median earnings reach $59,979 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Arizona
Texas State University San Marcos offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school based in San Marcos, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $19,822. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. See the full Texas State University San Marcos profile
Arizona State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. That is a strong return on a $24,752 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. More on Arizona State University
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Based in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $19,026. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,067. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. See the full New Mexico State University Main Campus profile
Virginia State University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Petersburg, VA, Virginia State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $29,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,543 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. More on Virginia State University
Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Tennessee State University is a public school based in Nashville, TN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $30,099. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%. Read the full report on Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Located in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,541. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted. See the full Middle Tennessee State University profile
Auburn University placed #23 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read more about Auburn University
Athens Technical College landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Athens Technical College report
Delaware State University placed #25 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. More on Delaware State University
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Family Consumer Economics Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Langston University placed #26 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. More on Langston University
Carson Newman College landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Carson Newman College
California State University Northridge came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. See the full California State University Northridge profile
Charleston Southern University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on Charleston Southern University
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Suny College At Buffalo report
Richland Community College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Richland Community College
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. More on North Carolina A And T State University
North Dakota State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. More on North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of Kentucky landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
Best Value Family Consumer Economics Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.