Urban and Regional Planning: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Urban and Regional Planning is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field dedicated to shaping sustainable, equitable, and functional communities across cities and their surrounding landscapes. This program equips students with the analytical, design, and strategic skills necessary to address complex challenges in land use, infrastructure, and community development.
- Master Plan Development: The process of creating comprehensive, long-term visions for urban and regional growth, integrating land use, transportation, housing, and environmental considerations into cohesive strategies.
- Land Use Planning: The systematic allocation of space within a geographic area to support residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational functions in alignment with community goals.
- Zoning and Regulatory Frameworks: The application of legal tools and policies that govern how land can be used and developed, ensuring compatibility with public health, safety, and environmental standards.
- Transportation and Infrastructure Systems: The design and integration of road networks, public transit, utilities, and digital connectivity to support efficient movement and resilience in urban environments.
- Community and Commercial Development: Strategies for fostering vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods and economically viable business districts through mixed-use planning and public-private collaboration.
- Applied Economics and Policy Analysis: Evaluating the financial and socioeconomic impacts of planning decisions using data-driven models and cost-benefit frameworks.
- Urban Design and Architectural Principles: The integration of aesthetic, functional, and human-centered design elements into the physical form of cities and towns.
- Environmental and Sustainability Planning: Incorporating ecological resilience, climate adaptation, and resource conservation into planning practices to ensure long-term environmental stewardship.
- Legal and Ethical Responsibilities: Understanding the regulatory landscape, professional standards, and ethical obligations that guide decision-making in public and private planning contexts.
Urban and Regional Planning Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Urban and Regional Planning Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Urban and Regional Planning degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary and Urban and Regional Planners. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 280,040 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1031 | $101,480 | $59,590 - $166,720 | 9,120 | N/A |
| Urban and Regional Planners 19-3051 | $83,720 | $55,590 - $128,550 | 43,040 | $40.25 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other 25-1069 | $75,040 | $45,280 - $176,350 | 17,540 | N/A |
Salary Comparison
Urban and Regional Planning Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $81,920 in Arkansas to $136,295 in California—a 66% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Connecticut, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 280,040 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Urban and Regional Planning by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Urban and Regional Planning programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Urban and Regional Planning is found at University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (105 graduates), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (92 graduates), Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (91 graduates), University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (84 graduates), and University of Arizona (81 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,340 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
105 | N/A | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
92 |
SAT: 1510-1580 ACT: 34-36 |
Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
|
91 | N/A | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
84 | N/A | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
81 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
70 |
SAT: 1140-1380 ACT: 25-31 |
College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
67 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-34 |
Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
64 |
SAT: 1490-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Doctorate (O)
|
62 |
SAT: 1440-1550 ACT: 32-35 |
Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
59 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
57 | N/A | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
55 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
55 |
SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
48 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
47 |
SAT: 1370-1530 ACT: 30-34 |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
41 |
SAT: 1330-1530 ACT: 28-34 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 | N/A | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 980-1220 ACT: 21-27 |
Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Master's
|
37 | N/A | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
37 |
SAT: 1150-1360 ACT: 24-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Master's
|
34 | N/A | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
34 |
SAT: 1230-1490 ACT: 27-33 |
Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Master's
|
33 |
SAT: 1240-1420 ACT: 27-32 |
Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 |
SAT: 1040-1210 ACT: 20-26 |
Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 27-32 |
Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
30 | N/A | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
30 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
29 |
SAT: 1480-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
28 |
SAT: 1390-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Other Award
|
28 | N/A | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
28 |
SAT: 1310-1480 ACT: 27-31 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
27 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Master's
Other Award
|
27 | ACT: 18-24 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Pratt Institute |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
23 |
SAT: 1220-1420 ACT: 26-32 |
Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Master's
|
23 | N/A | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
22 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 21-28 |
Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
22 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 25-30 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
21 |
SAT: 990-1230 ACT: 18-26 |
Arlington, Texas | Public | uta.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
19 |
SAT: 1400-1520 ACT: 32-34 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Alabama A & M University (AAMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
18 |
SAT: 810-1060 ACT: 14-19 |
Normal, Alabama | Public | aamu.edu |
| Villanova University |
Postbac Cert.
|
18 |
SAT: 1400-1510 ACT: 32-34 |
Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 19-27 |
Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
16 |
SAT: 1020-1240 ACT: 20-27 |
Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 24-29 |
Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 1110-1350 ACT: 21-28 |
Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 900-1160 ACT: 19-26 |
Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1150-1540 ACT: 21-29 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 1090-1330 ACT: 22-28 |
Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 22-30 |
Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
12 | N/A | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1350-1500 ACT: 31-34 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1050-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
12 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Prairie View A & M University (PVAMU) |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 850-1030 ACT: 16-20 |
Prairie View, Texas | Public | pvamu.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 19-26 |
San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 1080-1290 ACT: 24-30 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 910-1170 ACT: 18-26 |
Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 1050-1200 ACT: 20-26 |
Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 905-1205 ACT: 17-24 |
Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| University of New Orleans (UNO) |
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 960-1320 ACT: 17-23 |
New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | new.uno.edu |
| University at Albany (UAlbany) |
Master's
|
10 | N/A | Albany, New York | Public | albany.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
10 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 26-31 |
Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 1000-1200 ACT: 19-26 |
San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | N/A | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
10 |
SAT: 1360-1510 ACT: 28-32 |
Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 33-35 |
New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1100-1270 ACT: 24-28 |
West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 |
SAT: 1090-1270 ACT: 22-28 |
Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
8 |
SAT: 1100-1310 ACT: 26-30 |
Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
8 |
SAT: 1230-1390 ACT: 28-32 |
Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Texas Southern University (TSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 800-1000 ACT: 15-19 |
Houston, Texas | Public | tsu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW Tacoma) |
Master's
|
8 | N/A | Tacoma, Washington | Public | tacoma.uw.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Master's
|
7 | N/A | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) |
Master's
|
7 | N/A | Los Angeles, California | Private | sciarc.edu |
| Unity Environmental University |
Master's
|
7 | N/A | New Gloucester, Maine | Private | unity.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 29-33 |
Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | ACT: 22-25 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| The New School |
Master's
|
7 | N/A | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Doctorate (R)
|
6 | N/A | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 20-27 |
Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1020-1250 ACT: 19-27 |
Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Morgan State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 860-1080 ACT: 17-21 |
Baltimore, Maryland | Public | morgan.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1120-1320 ACT: 26-31 |
Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 21-27 |
Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 21-27 |
Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Westfield State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | N/A | Westfield, Massachusetts | Public | westfield.ma.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Master's
|
5 |
SAT: 1210-1470 ACT: 25-32 |
Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1270-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 995-1280 ACT: 23-26 |
Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
4 |
SAT: 1050-1300 ACT: 22-28 |
Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 940-1170 ACT: 17-24 |
Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1290-1450 ACT: 28-32 |
Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Other Award
|
3 | ACT: 21-27 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | N/A | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 |
SAT: 1330-1470 ACT: 30-33 |
Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Urban and Regional Planning programs
How much can I earn with a Urban and Regional Planning degree?
Salaries for Urban and Regional Planning graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $101,480. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $136,295 compared to $81,920 in Arkansas. Approximately 280,040 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Urban and Regional Planning programs?
Currently 115 accredited institutions offer Urban and Regional Planning degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (105 graduates), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (92 graduates), and Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (91 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Urban and Regional Planning growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,248 in 2010 to a peak of 2,548 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,362 in 2023-24. This represents a 27% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Urban and Regional Planning degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary, and Urban and Regional Planners. Related occupations employ approximately 280,040 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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