Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $50,580 at Texas A & M University-College Station come in 20% above the national median of $42,023 for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs.
With a 12.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $50,580 far exceeding the $17,720 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Texas A & M University-College Station ranks #2 among 15 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 29% earnings increase from $50,580 to $65,422 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.