by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you get energized by the hustle-and-bustle of cities and want to make them better places to live? If so, a major in Urban Studies might be right for you! This major focuses on the application of social science principles to the study of urban living. You will learn how city dwellers live and what influences their social and political life. Upon graduating with a degree in Urban Studies, you will be prepared to solve complicated issues that affect cities.
Urban Studies is an interdisciplinary major. Since cities are made up of many different facets, it is important to gain a working knowledge of many related fields. Classes include subjects like history, public policy, government, economics, sociology, social theory, urban theory, history of urban areas, principles of urban and social planning, and the politics and economics of urban government and services.
A major in Urban Studies covers Urban Studies/affairs. Read on to learn the key facts every urban studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering urban studies programs.
Across the country, urban studies is a widely-pursued major, with 1,343 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Urban Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 93 schools to determine the best overall colleges for urban studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of urban studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Urban Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations urban studies graduates commonly enter.
The field of urban development and planning is a dynamic and diverse profession requiring a broad range of skills. No matter what career direction you take, you will be asked to look and solve problems of urban life. This means you should be able to understand people and have a passion for improving human life. You will spend much of your time analyzing demographic information to dissect trends and draw conclusions.
Students should gain an understanding of local, state, and federal government programs and processes. Other important skills to have are the ability to think critically, problem solve, and analyze data. Cities have diverse populations so you should be prepared to work well with many different people.
Skills developed in a urban studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a urban studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several urban studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 10 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 904 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 394 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 35 |
People currently working in careers related to urban studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in urban studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Urban Studies majors will be able to go in careers in business, government, law politics, public policy, advocacy, and academics. Common career titles for an Urban Studies major are city planner, community organizer, director of housing development, homeless advocate, transit planner, and zoning administrator. Some careers may require advanced training.
A degree in urban studies can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to urban studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to urban studies.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of urban studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,147 |
| 4 years | $60,363 |
| 5 years | $65,763 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for urban studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers urban studies grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 93 different urban studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased urban studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering urban studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,343 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 45,628 |
| Political Science and Government | 44,942 |
| Sociology | 31,380 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,510 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 13,035 |
| Anthropology | 10,768 |
| Criminology | 10,365 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,105 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,942 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 496 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
