Best colleges for Urban Studies/Affairs in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Norfolk State University award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees and certificates in Virginia: 30, 23 and 11 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 Virginia colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs and award 66 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…
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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,626 | 30 | 63% | — | $26,416 |
Colleges awarding the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees in Virginia
Top 4 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 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 30 | $33,626 |
| 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 3 | Norfolk State University Norfolk Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 4 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 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 Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Urban Studies/Affairs programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees?+
Virginia Commonwealth University (30 graduates a year), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (23 graduates a year) and Norfolk State University (11 graduates a year) award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 Virginia colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs.
Which Urban Studies/Affairs program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Virginia Commonwealth University tops the list at $33,626. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Urban and Regional Planners earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Urban and Regional Planners in Virginia is $93,700 (median $86,030), across about 1,740 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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