Urban Studies/Affairs at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

UNLV's Urban Studies program achieves strong earnings outcomes—matching the national 75th percentile at $46,712—but asks students to carry significantly more debt than competitors nationwide. The $30,500 median debt load sits at the 95th percentile nationally, meaning only 5% of similar programs burden graduates with higher debt. While the 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, national peers typically graduate students with just $21,775 in loans while delivering comparable salaries.

The program's strength lies in its Las Vegas location, where urban planning and development issues offer real-world laboratory opportunities that translate to solid first-year earnings. At an institution serving many first-generation students (40% receive Pell grants), these outcomes matter. However, the higher debt load means graduates start their careers with an extra $8,700 in loans compared to the national median—money that could otherwise go toward housing costs or further education.

For students committed to urban studies and Nevada residency, UNLV represents the only in-state option, potentially saving thousands in out-of-state tuition elsewhere. But families should carefully examine whether federal loans are necessary for all four years, or if work-study and summer employment could reduce that $30,500 burden. The earnings justify the investment, but only if debt stays at or below this median level.