Urban Planning Degree in Stockton, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Stockton, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Stockton
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Stockton, CA Overview
Stockton is one of California's top college towns, with 27 institutions and a student population of 20,206. Public tuition averages $11,231/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Stockton is approximately $58,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
27
Public Tuition
$11,231/yr
Private Tuition
$52,584/yr
Room & Board
$19,958/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,901/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
47%
Urban Planning Salary in Stockton (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Stockton's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Stockton adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Stockton
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Stockton tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,231 | Private avg: $52,584
Stockton avg aid: $15,901/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$124,756
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,400
vs HS diploma in Stockton
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Stockton
$362,444
Lifetime earnings premium ($487,200) minus total education cost ($124,756)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Stockton
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Stockton for Urban Planning
University of the Pacific
private
$52,584/yr
$210,336 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
San Joaquin Delta College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Stockton
Stockton offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Stockton 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 Stockton
International Relations
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Stockton — 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 Stockton.