Family and Consumer Economics at The University of Alabama

Alabama graduates with Family and Consumer Economics degrees start at $41,201—matching the state median but outpacing the national average by about $1,000. Four years out, earnings climb to $50,044, representing solid 22% growth. With debt of $23,750 (roughly half of first-year earnings), graduates enter the workforce with a manageable financial burden that most can reasonably pay down within a few years.

The catch is limited comparison data: Alabama only has one school offering this major, making it impossible to benchmark against in-state alternatives. Nationally, this program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack—55th percentile for earnings—meaning it performs about as you'd expect, neither exceptional nor disappointing. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests some year-to-year variation is possible, but the trends appear stable enough to draw conclusions.

For families looking at consumer sciences fields—spanning everything from financial counseling to retail management—this program delivers practical outcomes without dramatic debt. The earnings trajectory shows professionals building value in their careers rather than hitting a ceiling early. If your student is genuinely interested in how families make economic decisions, the numbers support moving forward, especially given Alabama's reasonable tuition for in-state students.