2026 Best Value Family Consumer Economics Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Family Consumer Economics master’s degree 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Texas Tech University to be the best-value Family Consumer Economics school in the United States. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,454. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Texas Tech University report
Out of the 34 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #2 spot. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $23,789. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,070. Set against $23,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. See the full South Dakota State University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University Skysong earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Set against $24,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
The University Of Alabama came in at #4 on this year's best-value Family Consumer Economics ranking in the United States. Set in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Median earnings reach $59,221 ten years out. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
Out of the 34 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #5 spot. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $19,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,020. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Arizona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical Family Consumer Economics student debt is $21,861. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,979 ten years after entry. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read more about University Of Arizona
Arizona State University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,752 to complete their Family Consumer Economics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,668 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on Arizona State University
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. New Mexico State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $39,067 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read more about New Mexico State University Main Campus
Carson Newman College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Read the full report on Carson Newman College
Virginia State University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Read the full report on Virginia State University
Langston University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. More on Langston University
University Of Kentucky ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Read more about University Of Kentucky
Tennessee State University placed #13 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Tennessee State University
California State University Northridge placed #14 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read more about California State University Northridge
Auburn University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Get the full Auburn University report
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Read the full report on Suny College At Buffalo
Charleston Southern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Get the full Charleston Southern University report
Kansas State University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Kansas State University
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Middle Tennessee State University
University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Georgia profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
Delaware State University placed #22 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Delaware State University
Richland Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Richland Community College report
Texas State University San Marcos offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about Texas State University San Marcos
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Family Consumer Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full Southern Crescent Technical College profile
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #28 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Athens Technical College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Athens Technical College
Ashford University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools. Read more about Ashford University
The University Of Tennessee landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. More on The University Of Tennessee
University Of Utah landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Utah
Iowa State University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Iowa State University report
North Carolina A And T State University placed #34 among the best-value Family Consumer Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on North Carolina A And T State University
Related Family Consumer Economics Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Economics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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).
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