by our College Data Analytics TeamHousing was the 316th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 302 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 201.7% reduction in housing degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 911.
This year's Best Housing Schools ranking compares 8 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of housing programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in housing is giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most housing degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional housing certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Housing degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in housing to the highest housing degree, a . Depending on the housing degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to housing, with approximately 50.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for housing workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 47.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 23.1% |
| Some College Courses | 12.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.2% |
| Doctoral Degree | 2.7% |
Most workers in housing have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in housing careers have.
This of course varies depending on which housing career you choose.
There are many different career paths you can take with a housing degree. This program is very interdisciplinary and the career path you take will depend on your interests and background. Some of the more common career choices are Residential Property Management or Design. Other careers that might interest you are a Housing Counselor, Relocation Counselor, Leasing Agent, Kitchen and Bath Designer, or Home Insurance Agent.
Want a job when you graduate with your housing degree? Housing careers are expected to grow 8.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to housing.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | 129,400 | 10.9% |
| Interior Designers | 69,500 | 4.5% |
| Farm and Home Management Advisors | 11,200 | 7.7% |
Housing graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $45,369 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $27,943 to as high as $79,004. As you might expect, salaries for housing graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for housing graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers housing grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Interior Designers | $59,120 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $53,730 |
| Farm and Home Management Advisors | $52,700 |
With over 46 different housing degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased housing school rankings to help you with this.
One of 7 majors within the Family, Consumer & Human Sciences area of study, Housing has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Housing & Human Environments | 169 |
| Other Housing & Human Environments | 101 |
| Facilities Planning & Management | 32 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Human Development & Family Studies | 42,112 |
| Food, Nutrition & Related Services | 4,858 |
| Textile & Apparel Studies | 3,313 |
| General Family & Consumer Sciences | 2,906 |
| Family & Consumer Economics | 1,454 |
