Urban Studies/Affairs at Brown University

Brown's Urban Studies program puts graduates in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings while saddling them with debt in just the 5th percentile—an unusually favorable combination. With $14,000 in debt against nearly $49,000 in first-year earnings, the debt load represents barely six months of income, well below what most liberal arts majors face.

The caveat? You're looking at a program with fewer than 30 recent graduates, so these numbers could shift considerably year to year. Still, the underlying value proposition makes sense: Brown's Ivy League network and Providence's proximity to Boston create meaningful career access that shows up in the earnings data. At $48,731, first-year graduates earn about 21% more than the national median for this major.

The 60th percentile ranking within Rhode Island is misleading since Brown appears to be the only school in the state offering this program—you're essentially comparing it to itself. For practical purposes, focus on the national comparison, where this program clearly outperforms peers. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 is what matters: even if your child lands on the lower end of outcomes, they're not facing the kind of financial burden that would force career compromises. For students admitted to Brown who are genuinely interested in urban policy or planning, this represents solid preparation with manageable financial risk.