Urban Planning Degree in Birmingham, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Birmingham, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$63K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Birmingham
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Birmingham, AL Overview
Birmingham, Alabama (pop. 200,733) has 10 colleges offering Urban Planning programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,041/month. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Birmingham is approximately $44,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$10,440/yr
Private Tuition
$36,380/yr
Room & Board
$10,096/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,275/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
68%
Urban Planning Salary in Birmingham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Birmingham's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Birmingham adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Birmingham
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Birmingham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,440 | Private avg: $36,380
Birmingham avg aid: $14,275/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,200
vs HS diploma in Birmingham
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Birmingham
$287,456
Lifetime earnings premium ($369,600) minus total education cost ($82,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Birmingham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Birmingham for Urban Planning
University of Alabama at Birmingham
public
$10,440/yr
$41,760 total
Samford University
private
$36,380/yr
$145,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Birmingham
Birmingham offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Birmingham Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$46K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Mobile, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Birmingham
International Relations
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$44K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$39K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$39K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Birmingham — 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 Birmingham.