2026 Best Value Family Consumer Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

#1

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD

Our analysis found South Dakota State University to be the best-value Family Consumer Economics school in the United States. Set in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. South Dakota State University Family Consumer Economics students take on a median of $23,789 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,070. Set against $23,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full South Dakota State University report

#2

Arizona State University Skysong

Scottsdale, AZ

A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University Skysong one of the best values in the United States. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Arizona State University Skysong alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. Set against $24,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong

#3

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

You'll get strong value at Texas Tech University, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $27,750. Texas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $62,454 a decade after entry. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants. Read the full report on Texas Tech University

#4

Ashford University

San Diego, CA

You'll get strong value at Ashford University, which ranked #4 this year. This private for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Ashford University Family Consumer Economics students take on a median of $39,515 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Ashford University

#5

University Of Georgia

Athens, GA

You'll get strong value at University Of Georgia, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $22,652 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants. More on University Of Georgia

#6

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Utah

#7

Iowa State University

Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Ames, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Family Consumer Economics students take on a median of $18,062 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. More on Iowa State University

#8

University Of Nebraska At Kearney

Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public school based in Kearney, NE. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $19,750. Median earnings reach $50,105 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Nebraska At Kearney profile

#9

The University Of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $17,844 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. Set against $17,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee has an acceptance rate of 42%. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile

#10

University Of Nebraska Lincoln

Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln

#11

Ohio State University Main Campus

Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,409 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report

#12

The University Of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama placed #12 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Located in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. The University Of Alabama Family Consumer Economics students take on a median of $23,750 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,221. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. See the full The University Of Alabama profile

#13

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. Median earnings reach $69,020 ten years out. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile

#14

Texas State University San Marcos

San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Based in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $19,822. Median earnings reach $56,906 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read more about Texas State University San Marcos

#15

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $24,752 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,752 median debt. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. See the full Arizona State University profile

#16

Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University placed #16 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Located in Petersburg, VA, Virginia State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Get the full Virginia State University report

#17

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. The median Family Consumer Economics program debt is $30,099. Tennessee State University alumni report median earnings of $42,730 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 70% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Tennessee State University report

#18

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Murfreesboro, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $26,000. Median earnings reach $48,541 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Middle Tennessee State University

#19

Southern Crescent Technical College

Southern Crescent Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Southern Crescent Technical College report

#20

Kansas State University

Kansas State University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Kansas State University

#21

New Mexico State University Main Campus

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Main Campus

#22

North Dakota State University Main Campus

North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus

#23

Athens Technical College

Athens Technical College placed #23 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Athens Technical College

#24

California State University Northridge

California State University Northridge landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full California State University Northridge profile

#25

University Of Arizona

University Of Arizona ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. More on University Of Arizona

#26

Richland Community College

Richland Community College placed #26 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Richland Community College

#27

Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on Charleston Southern University

#28

Auburn University

Auburn University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on Auburn University

#29

Carson Newman College

Carson Newman College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Read more about Carson Newman College

#30

Langston University

Langston University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on Langston University

#31

North Carolina A And T State University

North Carolina A And T State University landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. More on North Carolina A And T State University

#32

University Of Kentucky

University Of Kentucky placed #32 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Kentucky report

#33

Delaware State University

Delaware State University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about Delaware State University

#34

Suny College At Buffalo

Suny College At Buffalo placed #34 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. See the full Suny College At Buffalo profile