City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at Arizona State University Campus Immersion

ASU's urban planning program delivers strong earnings right out of the gate—graduates start at $47K, placing them at the 75th percentile nationally for this field. With debt below $27K, the 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden that's well below the national average for planning programs. The 12% earnings growth to $52K by year four shows steady career progression, though this field doesn't typically generate six-figure incomes early on.

Within Arizona's limited planning program landscape (only three schools offer this degree), ASU matches the state median for earnings while carrying slightly higher debt. However, comparing ASU's campus program to its own digital immersion version reveals identical outcomes—a detail worth noting if your student prefers in-person learning. The University of Arizona's program lags behind at $40K starting salary, making ASU the clear state leader despite its 90% admission rate suggesting relatively open access.

For families concerned about return on investment, this program checks the right boxes: low debt burden, immediate employability, and earnings that outpace most planning graduates nationally. Urban planning won't make your child wealthy quickly, but ASU's version provides a solid foundation in a growing field without the debt trap that plagues many bachelor's degrees.