by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 91 U.S. colleges awarded 1,300 degrees and certificates in Urban Studies/Affairs. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 69% of graduates. College Factual ranks 38 schools in its 2027 Best Urban Studies/Affairs Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $47,147 one year after completing, rising to $66,212 after four years.
A degree in Urban Studies/Affairs involves the study of Urban Studies/affairs. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Social Science Principles To The Study Of Urban Institutions And The Forces Influencing Urban Social And Political Life. Includes Instruction In Urban Theory, The Development And Evolution Of Urban Areas, Urban Sociology, Principles Of Urban And Social Planning, And The Politics And Economics Of Urban Government And Services. Examples: [Urban And Regional Studies].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, urban studies/affairs is a popular field of study, with 1,300 degrees awarded annually. 91 colleges award urban studies/affairs degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 80.
By level, the 1,300 awards include 12 associate degrees, 902 bachelor’s degrees, 345 master’s degrees and 41 doctorates.
Women earned 58% of urban studies/affairs degrees and certificates in the latest year (761 of 1,300). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (556) and Hispanic or Latino (252), and international students earned 76.
College Factual ranks 38 schools in its 2027 Best Urban Studies/Affairs Schools ranking, including 29 for bachelor’s degrees, 9 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks urban studies/affairs schools within 16 states. In all, 91 colleges offer urban studies/affairs programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common urban studies/affairs credential is the bachelor’s degree: 902 of the 1,300 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to urban studies/affairs call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Law and Government and Administration and Management, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an urban studies/affairs degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 12 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 902 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 345 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 41 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to urban studies/affairs, at 54.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 54.8% |
| Master’s degree | 12.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Urban Studies/Affairs, with an average median salary of $103,763; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Survey Research Teacher, Weight Control Lecturer, Foreign Service Teacher and Industrial Arts Teacher.
The occupation related to urban studies/affairs with the most projected jobs is Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other, at 1,421,275.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | 1,421,275 | 11.1% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Sociologists | 143,776 | 3.0% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn a median $47,147 one year after completing their program, $66,212 after four years and $65,763 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,147 |
| 4 years | $66,212 |
| 5 years | $65,763 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to urban studies/affairs is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Sociologists | $74,866 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
