Compare 16 Consumer Economics. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $46,871. Top programs: $67,444+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Consumer Economics tells a different story. Across 16 programs, earnings range from $31,584 to $67,444—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Texas Tech University's Consumer Economics program leads with graduates earning $67,444, well above the $46,871 average. The University of Missouri-Columbia follows at $63,412, while the University of Georgia rounds out the top three at $60,003—proving that program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Texas Tech graduates borrow $21,500 and face just a 6.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making the top program surprisingly affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $67,444 | 59 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Manageable |
| #2 | $63,412 | 55 | $20,500 | Excellent | $32,529 | Challenging | |
| #3 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $60,003 | 138 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Manageable |
| #4 | $56,870 | 78 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $50,044 | 74 | $22,750 | Good | $48,666 | High | |
| #6 | $47,117 | 26 | $20,500 | Good | $30,610 | High | |
| #7 | $46,840 | 71 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | High | |
| #8 | $45,377 | 18 | $23,250 | Manageable | $18,000 | High | |
| #9 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $44,434 | 18 | $21,000 | Manageable | $22,500 | High |
| #10 | $44,000 | 24 | $26,500 | Manageable | $22,181 | High | |
| #11 | $41,981 | 189 | $19,500 | Manageable | $23,519 | High | |
| #12 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $41,565 | 16 | $22,869 | Manageable | $25,950 | High |
| #13 | $39,428 | 163 | $21,000 | Manageable | $25,798 | High | |
| #14 | $36,424 | 45 | $19,500 | Challenging | $14,457 | High | |
| #15 | $33,418 | 53 | $20,000 | High | $14,229 | High | |
| #16 | $31,584 | 39 | $27,000 | High | $18,771 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
