Urban Planning Degree in Topeka, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Topeka, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Topeka
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Topeka, KS Overview
Topeka, Kansas (pop. 126,587) has 14 colleges offering Urban Planning programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,052/month. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Topeka is approximately $42,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$8,640/yr
Private Tuition
$44,161/yr
Room & Board
$11,239/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,855/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
75%
Urban Planning Salary in Topeka (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Topeka's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Topeka adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Topeka
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Topeka tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,640 | Private avg: $44,161
Topeka avg aid: $13,855/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,600
vs HS diploma in Topeka
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Topeka
$273,284
Lifetime earnings premium ($352,800) minus total education cost ($79,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Topeka
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Topeka for Urban Planning
Washburn University
public
$8,640/yr
$34,560 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washburn Institute of Technology
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Topeka
Topeka offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Topeka Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Urban Planning in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$52K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$52K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$41K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Lawrence, KS
$54K starting · COL 108
5 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$43K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$48K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$48K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Topeka
International Relations
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$37K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Topeka — 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 Topeka.