Urban Studies/Affairs: is this master's degree worth it?
National picture across 7 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$83,598 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$83,598Median year-4 earnings
$15,831Average institution net-price context
Not availableMedian federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$83,598Median reported earnings · year 4
$82,769Average reported earnings · year 5
Not availableMedian federal debt
58thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
7Reporting programs
7With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $46,051
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,596
- Federal debt
- $21,775
- Reporting programs
- 31
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $83,598
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 7
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$76,906National median$83,59875th percentile$89,294
7 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
7 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA · PublicYear-4 earnings$91,085Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,9312CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$89,866Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$2,9843CUNY Queens CollegeQueens, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$89,294Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$4,1954Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$83,598Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$39,9985University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD · PublicYear-4 earnings$83,508Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,6786University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT · PublicYear-4 earnings$76,906Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,2007CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$74,689Federal debtNot availableAnnual net priceNot available
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Georgia State University$91,0852CUNY Hunter College$89,8663CUNY Queens College$89,2944Tufts University$83,5985University of Maryland-College Park$83,5086University of Utah$76,9067CUNY Graduate School and University Center$74,689Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Managers, All OtherSOC 11-9199 · 1 crosswalk linksSocial Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All OtherSOC 25-1069 · 1 crosswalk linksSociologistsSOC 19-3041 · 1 crosswalk linksUrban and Regional PlannersSOC 19-3051 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia State UniversityMaster's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $91,085 | Not available | Baseline needed | $15,931 |
| 2 | CUNY Hunter CollegeMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $89,866 | Not available | Baseline needed | $2,984 |
| 3 | CUNY Queens CollegeMaster's Degree | Queens, NY | $89,294 | Not available | Baseline needed | $4,195 |
| 4 | Tufts UniversityMaster's Degree | Medford, MA | $83,598 | Not available | Baseline needed | $39,998 |
| 5 | University of Maryland-College ParkMaster's Degree | College Park, MD | $83,508 | Not available | Baseline needed | $15,678 |
| 6 | University of UtahMaster's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $76,906 | Not available | Baseline needed | $16,200 |
| 7 | CUNY Graduate School and University CenterMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $74,689 | Not available | Baseline needed | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.