Best colleges for Urban Studies/Affairs
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Urban Studies/Affairs by graduate earnings are University of California-Berkeley ($58,171), University of Washington-Tacoma Campus ($47,585) and Portland State University ($45,870), 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%.
- University of California-Berkeley (Berkeley, CA): $58,171, 36 graduates a year
- University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (Tacoma, WA): $47,585, 23 graduates a year
- Portland State University (Portland, OR): $45,870, 37 graduates a year
- CUNY Queens College (Queens, NY): $42,995, 36 graduates a year
- Barnard College (New York, NY): $40,294, 24 graduates a year
Compare 90 U.S. colleges offering Urban Studies/Affairs by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 31 states.
Urban Studies/Affairs programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,811 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 45.12 and the Urban and Regional Planners occupation (BLS SOC).
About Urban Studies/Affairs programs
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 understanding the complexities of urban environments and their impact on communities. This program is designed for those who aspire to work in urban planning, community development, and related fields.
Students in the Urban Studies/Affairs program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework often includes topics related to land use, zoning, and community facilities, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to analyze and address urban issues.
Top 20 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 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,171 | 36 | 93% | — | $14,444 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,585 | 23 | 63% | — | $18,965 |
| 3 | Portland State University Portland, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,870 | 37 | 53% | — | $36,850 |
| 4 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,995 | 36 | 53% | — | $12,201 |
| 5 | Barnard College New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,294 | 24 | 93% | $24,675 | $19,000 |
| 6 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,929 | 33 | 51% | — | $32,083 |
| 7 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,074 | 59 | 86% | — | $17,500 |
| 8 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,385 | 54 | 87% | — | $15,000 |
| 9 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,626 | 30 | 63% | — | $26,416 |
| 10 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,966 | 28 | 85% | — | $20,550 |
| 11 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $50,008 | 12 | 50% | — | $18,600 |
| 12 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $48,731 | 12 | 96% | $14,644 | $14,000 |
| 13 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,826 | 18 | 57% | — | $13,612 |
| 14 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,712 | 18 | 51% | — | $30,500 |
| 15 | Rutgers University - Camden Camden, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,263 | 3 | 67% | — | $27,000 |
| 16 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,263 | 8 | 84% | — | $27,000 |
| 17 | Wayne State University Detroit, MI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $43,811 | 12 | 58% | — | $25,205 |
| 18 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,410 | 7 | 91% | $29,107 | — |
| 19 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $36,099 | 12 | 85% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,074 | 12 | 83% | — | $23,000 |
Specializations within Urban Studies/Affairs
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 45.12 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 31 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | $48,731 | Brown University |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | $47,585 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus |
| California | 11 | $46,826 | University of California-Berkeley |
| Nevadalimited | 1 | $46,712 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | $45,870 | Portland State University |
| New Jersey | 3 | $44,263 | Rutgers University - Camden |
| Michigan | 3 | $43,811 | Wayne State University |
| New York | 15 | $40,294 | CUNY Queens College |
| Ohio | 5 | $38,929 | Cleveland State University |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | $36,099 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus |
| Connecticutlimited | 2 | $34,074 | University of Connecticut |
| Virginia | 4 | $33,626 | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Minnesota | 4 | $27,966 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgia | 3 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 6 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennessee | 3 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3051, Urban and Regional Planners, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Urban Studies/Affairs program can pursue careers in urban planning and community development. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 3.4% and approximately 3,400 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $83,720, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Urban Studies/Affairs
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.12.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.12 (Urban Studies/Affairs) 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 |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3041 | Sociologists |
| 19-3051 | Urban and Regional Plannersprimary |
| 25-1069 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Urban Studies/Affairs 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 Studies/Affairs?+
It is the study of urban settlements and development, integrating various disciplines to understand urban environments.
What skills will I learn?+
You will develop critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills relevant to urban planning and community issues.
What are the career prospects?+
The field has a growth rate of 3.4%, with around 3,400 annual job openings and a median wage of $83,720.
What education is required?+
Typically, a master's degree is required for careers in Urban Studies/Affairs.
How much do Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn?+
Urban Studies/Affairs graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,811, 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 Urban Studies/Affairs?+
Urban Studies/Affairs maps to CIP 45.12 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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