Urban Planning Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Planning and development of urban areas including land use, transportation, and community resources.
Starting Salary
$48K
median
Mid-Career
$72K
salary
ROI Payback
5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Urban Planning Overview
Planning and development of urban areas including land use, transportation, and community resources.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
18%
Lifetime Premium
$420K
Female Graduates
48%
Urban Planning Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$402,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($420,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Urban Planning Salary Progression
Common Urban Planning Careers
Urban Planner
Transportation Planner
Community Development Director
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Urban Planning
#1
MIT
#2
UC Berkeley
#3
University of Michigan
#4
Cornell
#5
University of Pennsylvania
Related Majors
Urban Planning Degree FAQ
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