Family & Consumer Economics at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · 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
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,014/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (25,400 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 16 Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Family and Consumer Economics program stands out nationally, likely due to its strong blend of practical financial literacy, consumer education, and community outreach. This isn't just theoretical; you'll gain skills directly applicable to real-world financial planning for individuals and families, or in roles educating the public on consumer choices. UTK’s strong regional presence and alumni network in Tennessee and the Southeast often provide excellent pipelines to employers ranging from local financial advisory firms and regional banks to state extension offices and school districts. While some data analysis or information dissemination tasks in these fields are increasingly automated, the core human element – building trust, understanding complex personal situations, and providing tailored advice – remains paramount. To truly thrive, focus on developing robust interpersonal skills and seek internships that offer direct client or community interaction. This combination will ensure your expertise is both data-informed and deeply human-centric, making you invaluable as technology evolves.

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 $565K $558K $513K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.5x 10.3x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 49% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 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)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,436
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,779
37% growth from Year 1

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

A 46% admission rate makes The University of Tennessee-Knoxville accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 28,763 students in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Family & Consumer Economics program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Family & Consumer Economics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Family & Consumer Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Family & Consumer Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →