Urban Studies/Affairs at University of California-Berkeley

UC Berkeley's Urban Studies program launches graduates into strong earning trajectories, with first-year salaries of $58,171 jumping to $81,737 by year four—a 41% increase that significantly outpaces most social science degrees. While these graduates rank in the 95th percentile nationally for the field, California's competitive urban planning market means they fall to the 60th percentile among the state's 11 programs, notably trailing San Francisco State graduates by about $8,000 initially.

The financial picture is nevertheless compelling. With just $14,444 in median debt—among the lowest for any UC program—graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25, meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in three months of gross earnings. This stands in sharp contrast to the national median debt of $21,775 for urban studies majors. Berkeley's prestige and San Francisco Bay Area connections appear to translate into faster earnings growth than typical urban studies programs, where wages often plateau earlier.

The major caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary considerably. For families comfortable with that uncertainty, this program offers a rare combination in the social sciences—manageable debt, strong growth potential, and access to one of the nation's most dynamic urban planning markets.