Family & Consumer Sciences at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,721/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Large (67,500 openings/yr)
ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 42 Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

CSU Northridge’s Family and Consumer Sciences program distinguishes itself nationally, largely due to its strategic location within the vast and diverse Los Angeles metropolitan area. This provides an expansive labor market for graduates, offering significant opportunities in education, community services, local government, and non-profits across the San Fernando Valley and beyond. Your foundational knowledge will be highly applicable in critical areas like nutrition education, financial literacy, youth development, and family support, where the program likely benefits from strong local connections to school districts and numerous community organizations. While AI might automate some administrative or data-heavy aspects of the field, the core human-centered, relational work of connecting with individuals and communities remains paramount. To truly thrive, actively seek internships with local agencies and consider specializing in a high-demand area like gerontology or financial counseling within the broader FCS umbrella.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Family & Consumer Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $538K $534K $499K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.0x 18.8x 17.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 7.0x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (7.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,375
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,308
55% growth from Year 1

About California State University-Northridge

California State University-Northridge accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Northridge →

Top Career Paths

Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary $77,280/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
Farm and home management educators $58,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Family & Consumer Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Northridge

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Family & Consumer Sciences at California State University-Northridge?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Family & Consumer Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Family & Consumer Sciences at California State University-Northridge?
The 41% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Northridge one of the best schools for Family & Consumer Sciences?
Among 42 Family & Consumer Sciences programs, California State University-Northridge's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →