Best Schools for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning

City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates earn a median of $39,368 within two years of graduation, ranking #120 out of 292 tracked majors — 11% above the median across all fields. There are 19 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 578 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates earn $55,338 while Michigan State University graduates earn $25,194 — a $30,144 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

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.

19
Schools
$39,368
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#120
of 292 Majors
578
Graduates

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

Public (17 schools)
$38,663
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (2 schools)
$45,362
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $6,699 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

#1
U

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public

$55,338
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 16.9%
#2
C

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$48,432
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,484
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 29.8%
#3
U

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$48,041
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,115
Grads: 62
Acceptance: 10.0%
#4
C

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,497
Grads: 55
Acceptance: 73.7%
#5
F

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL · Public

$44,170
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,273
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 73.4%
#6
I

Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public

$43,426
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,426
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 89.1%
#7
U

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$43,240
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 43.7%
#8
C

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,781
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 8.2%
#9
U

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,577
Grads: 28
Acceptance: 42.5%
#10
T

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$37,568
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,967
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 63.2%
#11
U

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public

$36,848
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,952
Grads: 52
Acceptance: 85.7%
#12
W

Westfield State University

Westfield, MA · Public

$35,594
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,435
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 80.7%
#13
A

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

$35,518
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,323
Grads: 78
Acceptance: 90.2%
#14
A

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Scottsdale, AZ · Public

$35,518
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,323
Grads: 78
Acceptance: 64.1%
#15
E

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, WA · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 91.8%
#16
T

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$32,925
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,774
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 89.5%
#17
O

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$32,119
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,233
Grads: 46
Acceptance: 50.8%
#18
I

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana, PA · Public

$31,839
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 91.2%
#19
M

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 83.9%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning?
University of Virginia-Main Campus ranks #1 for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning with median graduate earnings of $55,338 within two years. There are 19 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 $39,368 within two years of graduation. This is 11% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $25,194 to $55,338 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 62.0%. 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 $45,362 in early earnings vs $38,663 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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