Urban Planning Degree in Salem, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Salem, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$86K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Salem
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Salem, OR Overview
Salem, Oregon (pop. 175,535) has 14 colleges offering Urban Planning programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,384/month. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Salem is approximately $60,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,943/yr
Private Tuition
$46,250/yr
Room & Board
$15,380/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,172/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Urban Planning Salary in Salem (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salem's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Salem adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Salem
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Salem tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,943 | Private avg: $46,250
Salem avg aid: $14,172/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,292
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,000
vs HS diploma in Salem
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salem
$390,708
Lifetime earnings premium ($504,000) minus total education cost ($113,292)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Salem
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salem for Urban Planning
Willamette University
private
$46,250/yr
$185,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chemeketa Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Salem
Salem offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salem Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Salem
International Relations
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$60K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Salem — 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 Salem.