Compare 9 Urban Studies/Affairs. programs in the West. Average earnings: $56,615.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Urban Studies/Affairs tells a different story. Across 9 programs, earnings range from $24,421 to $81,737—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of California-Berkeley's Urban Studies program leads with graduates earning $81,737, well above the $56,615 average. San Francisco State follows at $66,159, demonstrating that program strength varies independently of admission selectivity—Berkeley admits 12% while San Francisco State accepts 96%.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 3.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $81,737
Strong outcomes ($66,159) with 96% acceptance
3.0% payment burden | Excellent
9.9% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $81,737 | 34 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #2 | $66,159 | 30 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Good | |
| #3 | $65,845 | 45 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $64,344 | 30 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $63,319 | 22 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Good | |
| #6 | $51,127 | 57 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $46,712 | 27 | $19,450 | Good | $20,906 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $45,870 | 20 | $20,500 | Manageable | $18,859 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $24,421 | 12 | $19,500 | High | $58,361 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
