Best colleges for Urban Studies/Affairs in Illinois
Ranked by graduates a year
Wheaton College, Elmhurst University and Loyola University Chicago award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees and certificates in Illinois: 4, 2 and 2 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Illinois colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs and award 8 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Urban Studies/Affairs program is a transdisciplinary field that explores urban settlements and development. It encompasses various subjects, including geography, sociology, and public policy, making it ideal for students interested in…
3 institutions offering Urban Studies/Affairs in Illinois
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit | — | 4 | 85% | $23,461 | — |
| 2 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst Private not-for-profit | — | 2 | 70% | $20,794 | — |
| 3 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | — | 2 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees in Illinois
Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 2 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 3 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Urban and Regional Planners (SOC 19-3051).
Top skills
What Urban and Regional Planners earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Urban Studies/Affairs programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees?+
Wheaton College (4 graduates a year), Elmhurst University (2 graduates a year) and Loyola University Chicago (2 graduates a year) award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Illinois colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs.
How much do Urban and Regional Planners earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Urban and Regional Planners in Illinois is $97,270 (median $91,360), across about 1,140 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Urban Studies/Affairs program?+
The Urban Studies/Affairs program is a transdisciplinary field that explores urban settlements and development. It encompasses various subjects, including geography, sociology, and public policy, making it ideal for students interested in…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Urban and Regional Planners?+
The national job outlook is about +3.4% growth with around 3,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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