Compare 15 Consumer Economics. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $56,429. Top programs: $78,435+.
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 | $78,435 | 35 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Good |
| #2 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $74,107 | 138 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Good |
| #3 | $67,018 | 64 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $65,674 | 40 | $22,750 | Excellent | $48,666 | High | |
| #5 | $63,996 | 30 | $20,500 | Excellent | $30,610 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $62,341 | 13 | $22,869 | Excellent | $25,950 | Challenging |
| #7 | $56,132 | 16 | $23,250 | Good | $18,000 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $53,055 | 55 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $50,074 | 153 | $19,500 | Good | $23,519 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $49,584 | 34 | $19,500 | Good | $14,457 | Challenging | |
| #11 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $49,406 | 39 | $21,000 | Good | $22,500 | Challenging |
| #12 | $48,305 | 141 | $21,000 | Good | $25,798 | High | |
| #13 | $46,514 | 10 | $26,500 | Manageable | $22,181 | High | |
| #14 | $42,524 | 21 | $27,000 | Challenging | $18,771 | High | |
| #15 | $39,268 | 40 | $20,000 | Manageable | $14,229 | 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 →
