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Cheapest City/Urban Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Fresno delivers the nation's most affordable City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning education at just $6,480 net cost annually. This represents a striking opportunity in a field where the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% job growth through 2032, faster than average for all occupations. The cost spread across these 20 programs reveals significant savings potential, with public universities dominating the affordable end while still producing graduates who earn $33,993 to $48,432 annually. Regional planning expertise has become particularly valuable as cities nationwide grapple with housing shortages, climate resilience, and sustainable development challenges. Students can access quality planning education at Arizona State University for $13,670 or the University of Washington-Seattle for $13,485, both positioned in metropolitan areas where urban planners shape major development projects. Florida State University combines affordability at $10,997 net cost with an 83% graduation rate, demonstrating that low cost doesn't compromise academic outcomes in this field.
50
Programs
$6,480 – $27,662
Net Price Range
$38,860
Avg. Program Earnings
67.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
2 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
3 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
4 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
5 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
6 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
7 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
8 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
9 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
10 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
11 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
12 $14,559 $10,024 28.7% 68.4%
13 $14,761 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
14 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
15 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
16 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
17 $15,323 $9,998 52.1% 87.9%
18 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
19 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
20 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
21 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
22 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
23 $16,338 $9,810 23.6%
24 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
25 $16,456 $10,638 67.4% 91.1%
26 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
27 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
28 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
29 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
30 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
31 $17,883 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
32 $18,165 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
33 $18,219 $9,299 59.6% 86.1%
34 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
35 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
36 $18,701 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
37 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
38 $19,685 $14,558 47.4% 97.6%
39 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
40 $20,751 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
41 $20,780 $42,491 43.3% 68.4%
42 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
43 $22,185 $15,700 68.3% 76.9%
44 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
45 $22,881 $20,986 95.3% 18.7%
46 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
47 $23,261 $19,112 76.4% 87.0%
48 $23,519 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
49 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
50 $27,662 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Fresno the cheapest option for planning degrees?

Fresno offers the lowest net cost at $6,480 annually, combined with a 95.43% acceptance rate that makes admission highly accessible. The in-state tuition of $6,980 keeps costs manageable even before financial aid. The Central Valley location provides real-world planning experience with agricultural land use, urban sprawl, and water resource challenges. Students graduate with practical skills addressing California's complex regional planning issues.

How do graduation rates vary among these affordable planning programs?

Graduation rates range dramatically from Alabama A&M University's 28.7% to the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's impressive 93.2%. Florida State University achieves an 83% graduation rate while maintaining a $10,997 net cost. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign combines strong academic outcomes with an 84.9% graduation rate at $15,201 net cost. These variations often reflect institutional resources and student support services rather than program quality alone.

Where do planning graduates from these affordable programs typically work?

Earnings data shows Eastern Washington University graduates earning $33,993 annually, while Cal Poly Pomona graduates command $47,260. Many planning graduates work for municipal governments, regional planning commissions, and private consulting firms. The University of Washington-Seattle graduates earning $38,289 often find positions in the Pacific Northwest's growing metropolitan areas. Geographic location significantly influences both starting salaries and career advancement opportunities in urban planning.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee higher earnings in planning?

The data reveals no clear correlation between program cost and graduate earnings. Cal Poly Pomona graduates earn $47,260 despite a relatively modest $11,580 net cost. Arizona State University students pay $13,670 but graduates earn $35,518 annually. Florida Atlantic University offers strong value with graduates earning $44,170 while students pay just $8,001 net cost. Local job markets and internship opportunities often matter more than program price tags.

Is Brigham Young University worth considering despite being private?

BYU stands out as the only private institution in this affordable group, charging $14,487 net cost with an impressive 82.2% graduation rate. The actual tuition of $6,496 rivals public university in-state rates, making it exceptionally affordable for private education. BYU's 66.67% acceptance rate provides reasonable admission chances. The strong LDS network and Utah's growing metropolitan areas create solid career connections for planning graduates.

More City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning Rankings

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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.