Urban Planning Degree in Washington, DC — Salary & ROI 2026
Urban Planning degree analysis for Washington, DC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$105K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Washington
Cost of Living
146
index (100 = avg)
Urban Planning in Washington, DC Overview
Washington is one of District of Columbia's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 55,233. Public tuition averages $12,276/year here — near the national average for public universities. Urban Planning has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Zoning and Transportation Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Washington is approximately $73,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
42
Public Tuition
$12,276/yr
Private Tuition
$51,262/yr
Room & Board
$22,009/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,537/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Urban Planning Salary in Washington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Washington's cost of living index of 146 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Urban Planning salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Washington adjustment factor: 1.46x based on the local cost of living index.
Urban Planning ROI Calculator for Washington
Estimate your return on investment for a Urban Planning degree using local Washington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,276 | Private avg: $51,262
Washington avg aid: $8,537/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$137,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,900
vs HS diploma in Washington
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Washington
$476,060
Lifetime earnings premium ($613,200) minus total education cost ($137,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Urban Planning in Washington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Washington for Urban Planning
Georgetown University
private
$62,052/yr
$248,208 total
George Washington University
private
$60,770/yr
$243,080 total
Howard University
private
$30,964/yr
$123,856 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
University of the District of Columbia Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Urban Planning in Washington
Washington offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Urban Planning graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Washington Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Urban Planning Job Titles
Other Social Sciences Majors in Washington
International Relations
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Geography
$73K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$73K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$73K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$64K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$64K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning Degree in Washington — 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 Washington.