Best colleges for City/Urban
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for City/Urban by graduate earnings are Texas A&M University - College Station ($50,580), California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($47,832) and Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($46,954), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Texas A&M University - College Station (College Station, TX): $50,580, 87 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $47,832, 54 graduates a year
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ): $46,954, 77 graduates a year
- University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH): $46,122, 23 graduates a year
- California State Polytechnic University - Pomona (Pomona, CA): $45,960, 63 graduates a year
Compare 113 U.S. colleges offering City/Urban by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 41 states.
City/Urban programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,146 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 04.03 and the Urban and Regional Planners occupation (BLS SOC).
About City/Urban programs
The City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning program focuses on the study of urban settlements and their development. It encompasses various disciplines, including geography, sociology, and urban design, to equip students with the knowledge necessary for effective urban planning. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about community development and improving urban environments.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework often covers topics related to law and government, geography, and transportation, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing urban planning.
Top 15 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,580 | 87 | 84% | — | $21,000 |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,832 | 54 | 86% | — | $18,167 |
| 3 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,954 | 77 | 68% | — | $27,009 |
| 4 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,122 | 23 | 75% | — | $25,464 |
| 5 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,960 | 63 | 68% | — | $15,292 |
| 6 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,501 | 58 | 88% | — | $25,250 |
| 7 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,037 | 75 | 68% | — | $25,000 |
| 8 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,635 | 98 | 85% | — | $17,736 |
| 9 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,131 | 36 | 95% | $17,613 | $14,275 |
| 10 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,719 | 29 | 63% | — | $27,653 |
| 11 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $47,256 | 17 | 55% | — | $26,000 |
| 12 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $46,954 | 87 | 0% | — | $27,009 |
| 13 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,146 | 18 | 75% | — | $27,000 |
| 14 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,721 | 12 | 80% | — | $25,237 |
| 15 | Westfield State University Westfield, MA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,802 | 3 | 54% | — | $23,628 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · Certificate | $35,960 | 24 | 49% | — | $26,000 |
Specializations within City/Urban
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 04.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 41 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3051, Urban and Regional Planners, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the City/Urban program can pursue careers in urban planning, with an outlook that shows a growth rate of 3.4% and approximately 3,400 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $83,720, typically requiring a master's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for City/Urban
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 04.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 04.03 (City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 19-3051 | Urban and Regional Plannersprimary |
| 25-1031 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1069 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in City/Urban programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
- Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
- Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
- Hold public meetings with government officials, social scientists, lawyers, developers, the public, or special interest groups to formulate, develop, or address issues regarding land use or community plans.
- Mediate community disputes or assist in developing alternative plans or recommendations for programs or projects.
- Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
Common questions
What is urban planning?+
Urban planning is the process of designing and managing land use, community facilities, and transportation systems in urban areas.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, essential for effective urban planning.
What is the job outlook for urban planners?+
The job outlook for urban planners is about as fast as average, with a projected growth rate of 3.4%.
What level of education is required for this field?+
Typically, a master's degree is required for entry-level positions in urban planning.
How much do City/Urban graduates earn?+
City/Urban graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,146, College Scorecard (2019); the Urban and Regional Planners occupation pays about $94,750 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for City/Urban?+
City/Urban maps to CIP 04.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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