City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at Iowa State University

Iowa State's urban planning program keeps debt remarkably low—at $27,000, it sits in just the 5th percentile nationally for student debt, meaning 95% of similar programs leave graduates owing more. Combined with first-year earnings of $44,146, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 is quite manageable, allowing graduates to pay off loans relatively quickly. The strong 35% earnings growth over four years suggests early-career progression, with graduates reaching nearly $60,000 by year four.

The catch is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, and Iowa State is the only school in the state offering this degree. Still, the program hits the national median for earnings while keeping debt significantly below average. For students interested in planning and public policy work, this represents a financially prudent path—the combination of accessible admission (89% acceptance rate), modest debt load, and solid earnings growth makes the return on investment clearer than many bachelor's programs.

If your child is genuinely interested in urban planning and wants to stay in the Midwest, the low debt burden alone makes this worth serious consideration. Just recognize that with planning degrees, career trajectories often depend heavily on internships, connections to municipal governments, and geographic flexibility after graduation.