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Urban Studies/Affairs at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $47,585/yr (16% vs median)

AI Risk High (37% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (111,900 openings/yr)

ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #6 of 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs Top 25%

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	$597K	$589K	$541K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.6x	11.5x	10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.5x	3.5x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	58	57	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$51,268

Out-of-state: $168,684 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,068

22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,757

4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,334

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $47,585 at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus come in 16% above the national median of $40,998 for Urban Studies/Affairs programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.5x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $47,585 far exceeding the $15,757 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #6 of 25 nationally, this is a top-5% Urban Studies/Affairs program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $47,585 to $66,334 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 3,989 students in Tacoma, WA. With 40% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus →

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 Washington-Tacoma Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Urban Studies/Affairs at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus?

A score of 57/100 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 $541,463 in decade earnings vs $597,258 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Washington-Tacoma Campus's Urban Studies/Affairs program stand out?

Ranked #6 of 25 programs nationally, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →