Location: Blacksburg, VA•In-State Tuition: $15,478•Out-of-State Tuition: $36,694•Admission Rate: 57%•Avg SAT: 1337
Median Earnings (1yr)Small sample
$61,042
38th percentile
Sample: 28 graduates Limited data

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release).

Earnings Distribution

How Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earns $61k — 38th percentile among city/urban, community and regional planning masters programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University$61,042$87,632+44%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology$81,382$91,695+13%
University of Washington-Seattle Campus$67,566$83,134+23%
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus$67,566$83,134+23%
University of Virginia-Main Campus$58,018$67,175+16%

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning masters's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (2 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg$15,478$61,042$87,632——
University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville$20,986$58,018$67,175——
National Median—$63,764———

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with city/urban, community and regional planning graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Urban and Regional Planners

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

$83,720/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

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City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning in Virginia

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About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.