Family & Consumer Economics at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,201/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,400 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 16 Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

The University of Alabama’s program in Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies consistently ranks highly, reflecting its solid curriculum and strong regional placement power. While the field is broad, graduates often find roles in personal finance, community education, or extension services, benefiting from the university's established network across Alabama and the Southeast. You'll likely see initial opportunities with regional financial institutions, credit unions, or through state and local government agencies involved in consumer outreach, given the local economic landscape. However, the "related studies" aspect means your career trajectory can be quite varied. Given the high AI risk identified for some common paths, focusing on developing irreplaceable human skills like complex problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal communication will be paramount. Seek out internships that offer direct client interaction and opportunities to manage nuanced situations, as these are the areas where human expertise will continue to outshine AI.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $571K $563K $517K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.0x 11.8x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.2x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 49% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,477
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,969
43% growth from Year 1

About The University of Alabama

A 76% acceptance rate means The University of Alabama is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 32,323 students in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

Top Career Paths

Personal financial advisors $102,140/yr
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary $77,280/yr
Farm and home management educators $58,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Family & Consumer Economics at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Family & Consumer Economics at The University of Alabama?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Family & Consumer Economics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Family & Consumer Economics careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $517,006 in decade earnings vs $571,044 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →