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Best Value City/Urban Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Planning programs reveal striking cost-to-earning patterns that defy typical expectations about public education value. Florida Atlantic University delivers the most affordable path at just $8,001 net cost while producing graduates earning $44,170 annually. Meanwhile, University of Virginia graduates command the highest salaries at $55,338 but require nearly triple the investment at $22,881 net cost. California's planning programs showcase this tension perfectly, with Cal Poly Pomona offering strong earnings of $47,260 at moderate $11,580 costs, while San Luis Obispo pushes net costs to $15,624 despite similar career outcomes. These programs feed into America's growing urban planning sector, where federal employment alone accounts for over 38,000 planning positions nationwide, with state and local governments employing thousands more as cities grapple with housing shortages and climate adaptation challenges.
50
Programs
$6,480 – $32,337
Net Price Range
$39,582
Avg. Program Earnings
70.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,001 $44,170 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
2 $11,580 $47,260 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
3 $15,624 $48,432 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
4 $15,201 $43,240 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
5 $13,485 $38,289 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
6 $13,670 $35,518 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
7 $13,091 $33,993 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
8 $22,881 $55,338 $20,986 95.3% 18.7%
9 $18,165 $43,426 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
10 $15,960 $36,848 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
11 $16,438 $32,925 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
12 $18,561 $35,594 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
13 $17,216 $31,839 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
14 $20,924 $37,568 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
15 $18,292 $32,119 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
16 $31,927 $48,041 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
17 $32,337 $42,682 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
18 $20,751 $25,194 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
19 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
20 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
21 $27,662 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
22 $16,338 $9,810 23.6%
23 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
24 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
25 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
26 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
27 $18,219 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
28 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
29 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
30 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
31 $20,780 $42,491 43.3% 68.4%
32 $14,761 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
33 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
34 $14,559 $10,024 28.7% 68.4%
35 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
36 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
37 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
38 $27,818 $64,700 96.3% 4.6%
39 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
40 $30,209 $31,732 43.3% 60.9%
41 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
42 $17,883 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
43 $15,323 $9,998 52.1% 87.9%
44 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
45 $16,456 $10,638 67.4% 91.1%
46 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
47 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
48 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
49 $18,701 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
50 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between top planning programs?

Net costs vary by nearly $15,000 between Florida Atlantic at $8,001 and Virginia at $22,881, primarily reflecting different state funding levels and aid policies. Virginia's higher costs stem from limited in-state slots and competitive merit aid distribution. Florida Atlantic benefits from aggressive need-based aid that reduces average costs below even modest in-state tuition rates. Geographic cost of living also influences these calculations significantly.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in planning?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger completion rates, with Virginia achieving 95.3% graduation at $22,881 net cost. However, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo breaks this pattern with 85.2% graduation rates at moderate $15,624 costs. Eastern Washington presents the biggest concern with 47.2% graduation despite reasonable $13,091 net costs. Texas State and Indiana University of Pennsylvania also struggle with completion rates below 60%.

Where do planning graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

Virginia leads with $55,338 median earnings, followed by California programs around $47,000-$48,000 annually. Geographic location drives much of this variation, with coastal and major metropolitan areas offering higher compensation. Florida Atlantic graduates earn $44,170 despite the program's low cost, suggesting strong regional job markets. Texas and Arizona programs typically produce earnings in the mid-$30,000s range.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality in planning education?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's selective 30.43% to Eastern Washington's open 96.12% admission. Virginia's 18.66% acceptance rate reflects both academic rigor and limited enrollment capacity. However, Arizona State achieves solid outcomes with 89.75% acceptance, suggesting access doesn't necessarily compromise quality. Iowa State combines relatively open admission at 90.22% with strong 75.5% graduation rates.

What debt levels should planning students expect after graduation?

Most programs keep debt loads reasonable, with Cal Poly Pomona graduates averaging just $15,000 in loans. Texas A&M maintains similarly low $17,720 average debt despite strong earning potential. However, Arizona students face higher $24,863 debt loads, and Iowa State graduates average $24,250 in loans. Florida Atlantic provides excellent debt-to-income ratios given both low costs and solid earnings outcomes.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.