Family and Consumer Economics at Tennessee State University

Tennessee State's Family and Consumer Economics program ranks at the 60th percentile among Tennessee schools—middle of the pack in a state where this field doesn't pay particularly well. At $32,793 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about 18% below the national median for this major, though they match Tennessee's state average. The bigger concern isn't just the modest starting salary; it's the trajectory. Earnings actually decline to $31,584 by year four, an unusual pattern that suggests limited career advancement or graduates leaving the field altogether.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $30,099, it's one of the lowest debt loads nationally for this program (5th percentile), which translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0. For context, graduates here carry about $6,000 more debt than peers at nearby Middle Tennessee State, who earn roughly the same amount. Meanwhile, UT-Knoxville grads in this field earn $10,000+ more annually, though likely with higher debt.

This program serves an accessible student body—over half receive Pell grants—and delivers credentials without crushing debt. However, the combination of below-average earnings and declining income over time means graduates may struggle to build financial momentum after college. Parents should understand this is a path to stable employment rather than strong income growth, and compare carefully against UT-Knoxville if cost differences aren't prohibitive.