Pennsylvania · Urban Studies/Affairs

Best colleges for Urban Studies/Affairs in Pennsylvania

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 24, 13 and 12 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Pennsylvania colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs and award 58 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…

Institutions
5
offering CIP 45.12
States offered
31
with a program page
Degrees / yr
58
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$36,099
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,055
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
86%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Urban and Regional Planners
$81,790
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$36,0991285%——

Colleges awarding the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees in Pennsylvania

Top 5 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Private not-for-profit
24Not reported
2Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr Private not-for-profit
13Not reported
3University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh Public
12$36,099
4Haverford College
Haverford Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
5Drexel University
Philadelphia Private not-for-profit
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Urban and Regional Planners (SOC 19-3051).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~3,400
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$83,720
typically Master's degree

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWritingActive Learning

What Urban and Regional Planners earn in Pennsylvania

Jobs in Pennsylvania
860
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$81,790
median $80,810
Best-paying metro
$92,310
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Related careers

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
$61,710 avg · 1,090 jobs
Urban and Regional Planners
$81,790 avg · 860 jobs
Sociologists
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Urban Studies/Affairs programs in Pennsylvania.

Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees?+

University of Pennsylvania (24 graduates a year), Bryn Mawr College (13 graduates a year) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (12 graduates a year) award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Pennsylvania colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs.

How much do Urban and Regional Planners earn in Pennsylvania?+

The average annual wage for Urban and Regional Planners in Pennsylvania is $81,790 (median $80,810), across about 860 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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