Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other.: The DTI for this program is 64.5%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $36902) to the average debt ($23785) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 64.5%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($36902) against the typical student debt ($23785), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $36902, and the average student debt is $23785, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.64—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 1208 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other (CIP 19.0499) is a specialized category for financial strategists and consumer advocates who focus on the economic well-being of the household unit. While a standard economics degree looks at global markets or corporate banking, professionals in this "Other" category are "Micro-Economic Architects." They study behavioral finance, predatory lending patterns, retirement security for marginalized groups, and the economic impact of family caregiving. It is a path for "data-driven humanists" who want to ensure that the "small economy" of the home is resilient against the pressures of the "large economy" of the world.
This field is ideal for "financial detectives"—individuals who enjoy analyzing numbers but want to use that skill to solve human problems like the housing crisis, student debt, and intergenerational poverty.
What Is an "Other" Family and Consumer Economics Degree?
A degree in this category is an applied social science path that emphasizes resource allocation, consumer law, and the psychology of money. You will study the "Economic Core"—microeconomics, statistics, and accounting—but your focus will be on human-centric applications. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Forensic Consumer Fraud Investigation, Low-Income Housing Policy, or the Economics of Aging and Longevity. It prepares you to be a "Financial Well-being Expert" who can bridge the gap between complex financial systems and the everyday reality of a family budget.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Accredited Financial Counselors" who help families navigate bankruptcy, debt, and wealth-building
- Develop experts in Consumer Protection, focusing on the regulations that govern the banking, insurance, and real estate industries
- Prepare professionals for Public Policy Analysis, determining how changes in tax laws or social security affect the average household
- Study Behavioral Economics, exploring why humans often make "irrational" choices with their money and how to nudge them toward better habits
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that "Family Economics" is about more than just money; it is about the management of time, energy, and human capital to meet life goals.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Personal Risk Management—calculating the types of insurance and savings needed to protect a family from catastrophe
- Use "Quantitative Modeling" to project the long-term cost of raising a child or funding a 30-year retirement
- Design Financial Literacy Curricula—teaching complex economic concepts to non-experts in a clear, actionable way
- Perform Consumer Market Analysis—identifying trends in housing, healthcare, and education costs
- Utilize Conflict Resolution Strategies for mediating financial disputes within families or between consumers and corporations
- Understand Legislative Advocacy—learning how to lobby for laws that protect the economic rights of individuals
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of hard math, law, and human psychology:
- The Economics of Family Life: Analyzing the costs and benefits of marriage, divorce, and child-rearing.
- Consumer Law and Ethics: The study of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Truth in Lending, and consumer privacy.
- Investment and Estate Planning: Learning how families build and transfer wealth across generations.
- Housing and Community Development: The study of mortgages, renting, and the economic health of neighborhoods.
- Behavioral Finance: Understanding the "emotional side of money" and the psychology of spending and saving.
- Public Resource Management: How government programs like SNAP, WIC, and Social Security function as economic safety nets.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as specialists, policy analysts, and advisors in the financial services, government, and non-profit sectors.
Common job roles include:
- Financial Counselor/Coach: Working one-on-one with families to create debt-repayment plans and savings strategies.
- Consumer Policy Analyst: Working for think tanks or the government to evaluate the impact of economic legislation.
- Compliance Officer: Ensuring that banks and credit unions follow consumer protection laws.
- Employee Benefits Manager: Designing the 401(k) and health insurance packages that help workers stay economically stable.
- Consumer Fraud Investigator: Identifying and stopping scams targeted at vulnerable populations, such as the elderly.
- Housing Counselor: Helping first-time homebuyers navigate the mortgage process or assisting families in foreclosure prevention.
Where Can You Work?
Family economics specialists are the "guardians of the household wallet" in several arenas:
- Financial Institutions: Working in the "Community Reinvestment" or "Consumer Education" arms of banks.
- Government Agencies: Working for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Social Security Administration.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Leading credit counseling agencies or social service groups focused on poverty reduction.
- Higher Education: Working as a researcher or extension specialist for a land-grant university.
- Insurance and Law Firms: Providing expert analysis on the economic value of life and labor in legal cases.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because this degree combines social mission with high-level financial literacy, the earning potential is strong, particularly in the private sector.
- Personal Financial Advisors: Median annual salary of approximately $85,000–$125,000.
- Policy/Economic Analysts: Salaries typically range from $75,000 to $110,000+.
- Financial Compliance Officers: Median annual salary of around $70,000–$95,000.
- Entry-Level Counselors/Analysts: Often start between $50,000 and $65,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the integration of empathy and mathematics. You must be proficient in Statistics and Economics while having the emotional intelligence to help people through their most stressful financial moments. It requires a highly analytical and ethical mindset—you must be able to spot a predatory interest rate in a 50-page contract while understanding the human desperation that might lead someone to sign it. It is a major that rewards those who are "Strategic Fixers."
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are the person your friends ask to help with their taxes or budgeting
- Are outraged by economic inequality and want to fix it with data and law
- Love "Real-World Math"—calculating interest, returns, and risks rather than abstract theorems
- Want a career that bridges the gap between the "Heart" (social work) and the "Head" (finance)
- Enjoy researching the "fine print" and advocating for the "underdog"
How to Prepare in High School
- Take AP Economics and Statistics; they are the fundamental languages of the field
- Take a Civics or Government class to understand how laws are made and enforced
- Practice Personal Finance—manage your own budget, or use a simulator to learn about the stock market
- Join a Speech or Debate team; being able to argue for a consumer's rights is a core skill
- Read about The 2008 Financial Crisis or modern housing trends to see why this field is so critical
The ability to apply economic logic and ethical mastery to the complexities of family resource management is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor