Family & Consumer Sciencesat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $43,783/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Family & Consumer Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $486K; scenarios range from $459K to $485K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
Iowa State's Family and Consumer Sciences program benefits significantly from the university's strong land-grant mission, cultivating robust connections with community organizations, extension offices, and K-12 school districts throughout Iowa. This practical foundation ensures graduates are well-prepared for immediate employment in vital roles supporting families and communities. You'll find graduates making an impact as educators in schools, leading community outreach initiatives, or advising on home management and financial literacy, often within stable public sector or non-profit settings. The "general" nature of the degree at ISU means you gain a versatile skillset highly valued in a state with diverse needs. To maximize your career trajectory, actively seek internships with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach system or local school districts to build a strong professional network and apply your learning directly.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Iowa State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Family & Consumer Sciences
How Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Iowa State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Family & Consumer Sciences at Iowa State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Family & Consumer Sciences at Iowa State University?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Family & Consumer Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Family & Consumer 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 & Consumer 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.