Best institutions to study Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies
A program that focuses on the economic, social, spatial, and environmental aspects of transportation and infrastructure planning.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 33 Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 44.0403, a specialization of Public Administration (CIP 44.04), and leads most directly to the Urban and Regional Planners occupation (BLS SOC 19-3051).
About Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies programs
A program that focuses on the economic, social, spatial, and environmental aspects of transportation and infrastructure planning. Includes instruction in economics, environmental analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), logistics, risk analysis, transportation economics, transportation evaluation, transportation planning, transportation policy, and urban transportation planning.
See also: 52.0209 - Transportation/Mobility Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies program, part of Public Administration, focuses on the multifaceted aspects of transportation and infrastructure planning. This program is designed for students interested in addressing the economic, social, spatial, and environmental challenges associated with transportation systems and urban development.
Students will gain essential skills in areas such as economics, environmental analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), and transportation policy. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, preparing graduates to tackle complex planning issues.
Credentials awarded
What Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree13 graduates / yr · 1 institution39%
- Post-master's certificate12 graduates / yr · 1 institution36%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate8 graduates / yr · 1 institution24%
Graduates over time
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 33 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 33 |
CIP 44.0403 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 3 institutions for Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas Southern University Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 13 | 22% | — |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 92% | $26,873 |
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 86% | — |
Offered in 3 states
Where Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Administration programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | 13 | Texas Southern University13 / yr |
| California | 1 | 12 | University of Southern California12 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 8 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University8 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3051, Urban and Regional Planners, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Urban and Regional Planners, with an average growth outlook of 3.4% and approximately 3,400 annual job openings. The median wage for these professionals is $83,720, typically requiring a Master's degree for entry into the field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 44.0403
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Urban and Regional Plannersprimary SOC 19-3051 | $89,320 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~3,400 | Master's degree |
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers SOC 11-3071 | $107,230 | +6.1% Faster than average | ~18,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Traffic Technicians SOC 53-6041 | $59,090 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Public Administration specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Administration (CIP 44.04).
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Post-master's certificate, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and geographic analysis.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as an Urban and Regional Planner, among other roles in transportation management.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 3,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies?+
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies is CIP 44.0403 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Administration (CIP 44.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the economic, social, spatial, and environmental aspects of transportation and infrastructure planning. Includes instruction in economics, environmental analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), logistics, risk analysis, transportation economics, transportation evaluation, transportation planning, transportation policy, and urban transportation planning.
How many institutions offer Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 33 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Public Administration graduates.
How much do Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Urban and Regional Planners occupation, which Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $89,320 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card