Cheapest Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Colleges

The University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras delivers Family and Consumer Sciences education at just $6,507 net cost, creating a $17,000 savings gap compared to Auburn University's $23,897 price tag. This field connects directly to America's growing wellness industry, where consumer behavior specialists earn median salaries of $63,000 annually. Seven public institutions offer these specialized programs with graduation rates spanning from Norfolk State's 33% to Auburn's 79%. Students can access quality education in human development, nutrition science, and consumer economics without the typical private school premium.

Programs

$6,507 – $23,897

Net Price Range

58.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras San Juan, Puerto Rico	$6,507	$5,324	52.5%	51.6%
2	Norfolk State University Norfolk, Virginia	$12,973	$9,910	32.7%	89.5%
3	University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah	$13,172	$9,315	63.9%	89.1%
4	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
5	Wayne State College Wayne, Nebraska	$15,108	$7,970	55.7%
6	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
7	Auburn University Auburn, Alabama	$23,897	$12,536	79.2%	43.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Puerto Rico's public university system operates with significantly lower overhead costs and receives substantial federal funding support. Auburn University's $23,897 net cost reflects Alabama's higher operational expenses and more extensive research facilities, creating a $17,390 price gap between the two extremes.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in this field?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger completion rates, with Auburn's 79% graduation rate justifying its premium pricing. However, Wayne State College breaks this pattern by achieving 56% graduation rates at just $15,108 net cost, demonstrating that affordable programs can still deliver solid student outcomes.

Where do these programs show the best value for in-state students?

Utah offers strong value with $9,315 in-state tuition and a strong 64% graduation rate, positioning students for success in the Mountain West's growing health and wellness sector. Tennessee residents pay $13,484 for a program with 74% graduation rates, providing solid returns in the Southeast's expanding consumer research industry.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.