Urban Studies/Affairs at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
50
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,074/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (37% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,900 openings/yr)
ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Urban Studies/Affairs graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $671K $658K $596K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.0x 10.8x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.6x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 50 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,499
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,507
93% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-San Diego's Urban Studies/Affairs program produces graduates earning $37,074/yr — within striking distance of the $40,998 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Urban Studies/Affairs programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Urban Studies/Affairs's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,499 in median debt clears quickly against $37,074 in annual earnings.

At #8 of 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs, University of California-San Diego scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $71,507 show a 93% jump from the $37,074 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-San Diego

Admission to University of California-San Diego is competitive, with 25% of applicants accepted, with 33,787 students enrolled in La Jolla, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-San Diego →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Sociologists $101,690/yr
Urban and regional planners $83,720/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Urban Studies/Affairs at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Urban Studies/Affairs at University of California-San Diego?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Urban Studies/Affairs field.
Will AI replace Urban Studies/Affairs careers?
With 37% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $596,299 in decade earnings vs $671,003 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →