Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn $62,532 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,623 and $81,699. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Urban Studies/Affairs as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Social Sciences and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Urban Studies/Affairs is a focused area of study within Social Sciences. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $62,532 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 125 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,301 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$40,294
Median Earnings · 4yr
$62,532
Colleges Offering
125
Graduates / Year
1,301
Avg Net Price / yr
$18,340
How Much Do Urban Studies/Affairs Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Urban Studies/Affairs, a typical graduate earns $62,532, near the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $43,623 and $81,699, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $40,294 at one year out to $62,532 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$62,532
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$59,595
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Urban Studies/Affairs graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$43,62325th pct.
$62,532Median
$81,69975th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $62,532 and an estimated $73,360 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.3 years.
Based on outcomes from 109 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,301 students who complete Urban Studies/Affairs programs each year, the majority (68%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
68%26%
Bachelor's68%
Master's26%
Doctorate3%
What Can You Do With an Urban Studies/Affairs Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Urban Studies/Affairs graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Urban and Regional Planners pay the most at $89,320/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingSystems AnalysisReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
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.
Top Colleges for Urban Studies/Affairs
Not sure where to study Urban Studies/Affairs? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Urban Studies/Affairs graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Social Sciences Programs
Urban Studies/Affairs is not the only path through Social Sciences: 12 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Urban Studies/Affairs program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Urban Studies/Affairs shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $62,532 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $40,294 at graduation to $62,532 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
$62,532 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $43,623 and $81,699, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Urban Studies/Affairs degree?
$40,294 in the first year out. That grows to $62,532 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Urban Studies/Affairs degree?
Urban and Regional Planners are one path, and it pays a median of $89,320 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Urban Studies/Affairs program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Urban Studies/Affairs bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs?
125 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Urban Studies/Affairs degree worth it?
$62,532 median earnings four years out against $18,340 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Urban Studies/Affairs and Social Sciences?
Urban Studies/Affairs is the narrower of the two: Social Sciences covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Urban Studies/Affairs-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Urban Studies/Affairs graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Urban Studies/Affairs graduates consistently look for research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Urban Studies/Affairs graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $62,532, graduate study in Urban Studies/Affairs tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
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