City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's urban planning program achieves something rare: genuinely low debt combined with strong earnings growth. Graduates start at $45,960—just slightly above the national median—but that 41% jump to $64,621 by year four suggests they're gaining valuable skills that employers increasingly reward. The $15,292 median debt ranks in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning only 5% of similar programs leave students with less debt), creating an unusually favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33. For context, the national median debt for this degree is $25,237.

The state comparison reveals a tradeoff worth understanding. Cal Poly Pomona lands at the 40th percentile among California's five urban planning programs, with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo leading at $47,832. But that $2,000 first-year difference matters far less than the debt picture—especially for families where 46% of students qualify for Pell grants. Lower debt means flexibility to pursue public sector planning roles or community development positions that might pay less initially but align with career goals.

For students committed to this field, the combination of manageable debt and strong mid-career growth makes this program a practical choice. The moderate sample size means outcomes are reasonably stable, and the trajectory suggests graduates are securing positions with real advancement potential rather than hitting an early ceiling.