Urban Planning Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Urban Planning programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $46,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Urban Planning Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$315,860
Lifetime earnings premium ($386,400) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Urban Planning
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$50K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$40K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$42K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$49K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$44K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Des Moines
International Relations
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$46K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$40K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Des Moines — 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 Des Moines.