Family and Consumer Economics at University of Missouri-Columbia

Missouri's Family and Consumer Economics program stands out nationally, placing graduates in the 95th percentile for earnings—$10,000 above the typical program nationwide. With first-year earnings of $50,614 and debt held to $27,000, graduates face manageable payments while earning substantially more than peers from similar programs across the country.

The earnings trajectory reinforces this advantage: 25% growth to $63,412 by year four suggests strong career momentum rather than an early plateau. The 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio is comfortable by any standard, meaning graduates allocate roughly half a year's salary to student loans—well below levels that typically create financial stress. The debt figure itself sits at the 15th percentile nationally, indicating the university keeps borrowing contained even as it delivers premium outcomes.

One limitation: Missouri has only one school offering this program, so the 60th percentile state ranking is essentially meaningless for comparison purposes. Still, the national benchmarking tells the story that matters. For families concerned about return on investment in a consumer sciences field, this program delivers both strong starting salaries and genuine earning progression. It's a clear value proposition—above-average debt is more than justified by top-tier earnings that place graduates ahead of 95% of their national peers.