Urban Studies/Affairs.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Urban Studies/Affairs.: The DTI for this program is 55.6%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Urban Studies/Affairs., compare your expected starting salary (currently $39192) to the average debt ($21783) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Urban Studies/Affairs.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 55.6%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Urban Studies/Affairs., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($39192) against the typical student debt ($21783), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Urban Studies/Affairs., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $39192, with grads carrying about $21783 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.56—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 1301 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Urban Studies/Affairs. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Urban Studies/Affairs (CIP 45.1201) is an interdisciplinary social science and planning field focused on understanding how cities function, how urban problems emerge, and how policy, design, and governance can improve life in metropolitan areas. This degree examines cities as complex systems shaped by economics, politics, infrastructure, culture, environment, and human behavior. Urban studies professionals analyze how people live, work, move, and interact within dense urban environments—and how cities can become more equitable, sustainable, and resilient.
For a degree search site, Urban Studies/Affairs represents relevance, systems thinking, and public impact. Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and urban areas drive innovation, economic growth, and cultural change while also facing challenges such as housing shortages, transportation congestion, inequality, climate risk, and public health pressures. This degree appeals to students who want a big-picture, real-world understanding of cities and a career shaping how urban communities evolve.
What Is an Urban Studies/Affairs Degree?
An Urban Studies/Affairs degree is an academic program that studies cities and metropolitan regions using interdisciplinary approaches drawn from sociology, economics, political science, geography, public policy, and planning. Unlike architecture or engineering, urban studies focuses less on physical design and more on systems, policy, and people.
This degree typically focuses on:
- Urban social and economic systems
- City governance and public policy
- Housing, transportation, and infrastructure
- Inequality, segregation, and community development
- Environmental sustainability and resilience
Colleges and universities offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for careers in urban policy, planning, and public service
- Support interdisciplinary analysis of city challenges
- Train professionals who work at the intersection of policy and community
- Provide a foundation for graduate study in planning, policy, or law
Urban Studies/Affairs treats cities as living systems shaped by decisions, power, and people.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how cities grow, change, and respond to pressures over time. You’ll study how urban economies function, how neighborhoods are shaped by policy, and how transportation, housing, and land use affect opportunity and quality of life. Coursework emphasizes analysis, data interpretation, and policy evaluation.
Rather than studying cities only as places, students learn to analyze them as systems—where decisions in housing, transit, or zoning ripple across health, education, and economic outcomes.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Urban systems analysis—understanding how city systems interact
- Policy analysis and evaluation—assessing urban programs
- Data analysis and interpretation—using demographic and spatial data
- Community and stakeholder engagement—working with residents
- Research and analytical writing—clear policy communication
- Equity and social impact analysis—evaluating who benefits and who doesn’t
- Problem-solving in complex environments—urban decision-making
- Interdisciplinary thinking—connecting policy, economics, and sociology
These skills are essential for addressing real-world urban challenges.
Topics You May Explore
Coursework in an urban studies/affairs program commonly includes:
- Urban Sociology and Economics: city structure and inequality
- Urban Governance and Public Policy: city decision-making
- Housing and Community Development: affordability and neighborhoods
- Transportation and Infrastructure: mobility and access
- Land Use and Zoning: planning and regulation
- Environmental Sustainability and Resilience: climate and cities
- Urban Data and GIS: spatial analysis tools
- Global and Comparative Urbanism: cities around the world
- Capstone or Applied Urban Project: real-world policy analysis
Many programs emphasize applied projects with local governments or nonprofits.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
An Urban Studies/Affairs degree prepares students for analytical, planning-support, and policy roles related to city life. Many graduates pursue advanced degrees, but bachelor’s-level opportunities are common.
Common career paths include:
- Urban or Policy Analyst: city program evaluation
- Planning or Zoning Assistant: land use and development
- Housing or Community Development Coordinator: neighborhood programs
- Transportation or Mobility Analyst: transit and access planning
- Public Sector Program Coordinator: city agency roles
- Nonprofit or Community Organization Staff: urban services
- Research or Data Analyst: urban policy research
- Graduate School Path: urban planning, public policy, or law
Leadership and licensed planning roles typically require graduate education.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in organizations focused on urban development and governance:
- City and regional government agencies
- Planning and transportation departments
- Housing and community development organizations
- Nonprofit and advocacy groups
- Policy research institutes and think tanks
- Consulting and data analytics firms
- International urban development organizations
Urban studies professionals often bridge policy, data, and community needs.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary by role, sector, and education level.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level urban policy or coordination roles: often $45,000–$60,000
- Urban analysts or program specialists: commonly $60,000–$85,000
- Senior planners, managers, or policy leaders: can reach $90,000–$120,000+
Graduate degrees significantly expand advancement opportunities.
Is This Degree Hard?
Urban Studies/Affairs is considered moderately challenging. Students must integrate social science theory, data analysis, and policy evaluation while engaging with complex, real-world problems. Strong writing, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity are essential.
The challenge lies in balancing ideal solutions with political, economic, and social constraints.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Are interested in cities, communities, and public policy
- Enjoy analyzing real-world problems
- Want a career with visible social impact
- Like combining data, policy, and people-focused work
- Are considering planning, public service, or policy careers
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for an urban studies program:
- Take government, geography, economics, and sociology courses
- Develop strong writing, research, and critical thinking skills
- Learn basic data interpretation and mapping concepts
- Follow urban issues such as housing, transit, and climate
- Participate in community service or civic engagement activities
Urban Studies/Affairs (CIP 45.1201) is an ideal degree for students who want to understand and improve city life. It equips graduates with analytical tools, policy insight, and systems thinking needed to address the challenges facing modern cities. For those drawn to public impact, community development, and shaping the future of urban spaces, this degree offers both intellectual depth and meaningful career pathways.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor