Urban Studies/Affairs at Georgia State University

Georgia State's Urban Studies program presents an investment picture that sits squarely in the middle—peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $40,000 against an estimated $23,000 in debt. That 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio means borrowing roughly half what you'd earn in your first year, which puts this program in reasonable territory, though not particularly advantageous.

What makes this program harder to evaluate is its relatively small footprint—only two Georgia schools offer Urban Studies bachelor's degrees, and neither has enough graduates for the Department of Education to publish specific outcomes. The $40,000 earnings estimate comes from looking at 25 similar programs nationwide, which means your child's actual prospects could vary based on Georgia State's connections to Atlanta's municipal government, nonprofits, and planning agencies. Atlanta's status as a major metro area could work in their favor for urban planning internships and entry-level positions that don't necessarily show up in these national averages.

The practical reality: with half of Georgia State students receiving Pell grants, many families here are managing limited resources. Borrowing $23,000 for a field that typically starts around $40,000 is manageable if your child has clear career goals in city planning, community development, or public administration—fields where graduate credentials often matter for advancement. If they're still exploring, the limited data and modest starting salaries suggest this particular major carries more uncertainty than programs with established Georgia outcomes.