Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $27,966/yr fall 32% below the $40,998 national median for Urban Studies/Affairs. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 9% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $19,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $27,966 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #25 of 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $55,775 show a 99% jump from the $27,966 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.