2026 Best Value Family Consumer Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Family Consumer Economics graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 34 colleges 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 analyzed schools to compile 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
South Dakota State University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $23,789. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants. Get the full South Dakota State University report
Kansas State University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Family Consumer Economics ranking in the United States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Kansas State University Family Consumer Economics students take on a median of $23,546 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,262. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read the full report on Kansas State University
You'll get strong value at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #3 this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln has an acceptance rate of 88%. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Iowa State University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Family Consumer Economics ranking in the United States. See the full Iowa State University profile
A rank of #5 makes Auburn University one of the best values in the United States. Get the full Auburn University report
The University Of Alabama placed #6 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on The University Of Alabama
University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Read more about University Of Kentucky
Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Get the full Tennessee State University report
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. More on The University Of Tennessee
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
California State University Northridge came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Southern Crescent Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. More on Southern Crescent Technical College
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Athens Technical College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Athens Technical College
Middle Tennessee State University placed #16 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. More on Middle Tennessee State University
Charleston Southern University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. See the full Charleston Southern University profile
University Of Georgia placed #18 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Delaware State University placed #19 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Delaware State University
Langston University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. See the full Langston University profile
Richland Community College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Richland Community College
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Utah came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Utah
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Suny College At Buffalo
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Family Consumer Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #26 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Kearney
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Read more about New Mexico State University Main Campus
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on North Carolina A And T State University
Virginia State University came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full Virginia State University profile
Ashford University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Get the full Ashford University report
Carson Newman College placed #31 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. More on Carson Newman College
Texas Tech University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of Arizona ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Arizona State University came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Arizona State University report
Related Family Consumer Economics Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Schools (All Levels)
- 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 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. Rankings consider 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.