Urban Planning Degree in Anaheim, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Anaheim, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Anaheim
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Anaheim, CA Overview
Anaheim, California (pop. 350,365) has 19 colleges offering Urban Planning programs. The local cost of living index of 117 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,729/month. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Anaheim is approximately $58,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
19
Public Tuition
$6,920/yr
Private Tuition
$37,099/yr
Room & Board
$16,938/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,487/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
53%
Urban Planning Salary in Anaheim (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anaheim's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Anaheim adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Anaheim
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Anaheim tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,920 | Private avg: $37,099
Anaheim avg aid: $11,487/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,550
vs HS diploma in Anaheim
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anaheim
$395,968
Lifetime earnings premium ($491,400) minus total education cost ($95,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Anaheim
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anaheim for Urban Planning
Cal State Fullerton
public
$6,920/yr
$27,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fullerton College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Anaheim
Anaheim offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anaheim Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Anaheim
International Relations
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Anaheim — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Urban Planning ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anaheim.