Best Schools for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning

City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates earn a median of $68,976 within four years of graduating, ranking #121 out of 283 tracked majors — 10% above the median across all fields. There are 22 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 602 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Southern California graduates earn $106,094 while Texas State University graduates earn $55,625 — a $50,469 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates see an average -4% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$68,976

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#121

of 283 Majors

602

Graduates

Public vs Private: City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning

Public (20 schools)

$66,657

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (2 schools)

$106,094

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $39,437 more in early earnings on average for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning by State

Top City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning Schools by Graduate Earnings

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$106,094

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $48,041 (71)

1yr: $44,115 (62)

Acceptance: 10.0%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

$73,413

4yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

2yr: $38,289 (21)

1yr: $39,577 (28)

Acceptance: 42.5%

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

$71,158

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

2yr: $25,194 (14)

Acceptance: 83.9%

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public

$68,786

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 65.3%

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Scottsdale, AZ · Public

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL · Public

Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public

$60,699

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

1yr: $43,408 (24)

Acceptance: 87.7%

#14

Westfield State University

Westfield, MA · Public

$59,524

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

Ball State University

Muncie, IN · Public

$55,663

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 71.6%

#17

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$55,625

4yr Earnings

26 grads · small sample

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, WA · Public

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana, PA · Public

$31,839

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 91.2%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Business/Corporate Communications $39,826 Pharmacology and Toxicology $39,768 Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other $39,662 Computer Software and Media Applications $39,431 Health and Medical Administrative Services $39,420 Cognitive Science $39,315

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning?

University of Southern California ranks #1 for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning with median graduate earnings of $106,094 within four years of graduating. There are 22 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates earn?

City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates earn an average of $68,976 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $55,625 to $106,094 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning program?

The average acceptance rate across City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs is 63.8%. The most selective program is at Cornell University with a 8.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning?

Private City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs average $106,094 in early earnings vs $66,657 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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