City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

The University of Washington's urban planning program sits in a puzzling spot: while it underperforms the national median by about $4,500 in early-career earnings (24th percentile nationally), it's actually the stronger option among Washington's two programs offering this degree. That state-level advantage matters for in-state students, though the limited data—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample.

The debt picture is genuinely favorable. At $17,736, graduates carry about $7,500 less debt than the national median for planning majors, creating a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 35% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests the field rewards experience, with graduates reaching $53,582 by their fourth year—though this still trails many bachelor's programs.

Here's the practical reality: urban planning typically requires a master's degree for substantial career advancement, which means these bachelor's-level earnings may represent a stepping stone rather than the final destination. If your child plans to pursue graduate work in planning, UW provides a cost-effective foundation with reasonable debt. If they expect this bachelor's to be their terminal degree, the below-average starting salary deserves serious consideration, particularly given that many planning jobs favor candidates with advanced credentials.