Urban Planning Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Urban Planning programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $68,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Urban Planning Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,550
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$438,600
Lifetime earnings premium ($575,400) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Urban Planning
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$83K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$94K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$73K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$61K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$71K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$76K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$73K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$70K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Syracuse
International Relations
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$66K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$69K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$69K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$69K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$60K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.