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Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,783/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk High (41% exposed)
Job Market Large (67,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 42 Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $485K $486K $459K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 11.6x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 47% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,730
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,252
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Iowa State University Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences graduates command $43,783/yr out of the gate, well above the $32,408 national median. That 35% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences's typical career paths, with 41% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,730 in median debt clears quickly against $43,783 in annual earnings.

At #5 of 42 nationally, this is a top-5% Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $47,252 are relatively flat compared to the $43,783 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Iowa State University

A 89% acceptance rate means Iowa State University is accessible to most applicants, with 25,033 students enrolled in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

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

Compare this program → View all 42 schools offering Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences →

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences at Other Schools

Illinois State University ($48,974) Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($38,010) University of Wyoming ($37,887) Sam Houston State University ($37,540) University of Maryland Eastern Shore ($37,301) San Francisco State University ($35,977) Texas Tech University ($35,501) University of New Mexico-Main Campus ($35,369)

Other Majors at Iowa State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,913) Computer Engineering ($79,182) Computer Science ($78,517) Construction Engineering ($77,845) Chemical Engineering ($76,184) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($75,036) Industrial Engineering ($74,310) Mechanical Engineering ($72,900)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences at Iowa State University?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences careers?
With 41% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $459,263 in decade earnings vs $484,965 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Iowa State University's Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #5 of 42 programs nationally, Iowa State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →