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Urban Studies at Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Urban Studies/Affairs
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,410/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (37% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,900 openings/yr)
ROI 1.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #24 of 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $473K $475K $449K
Earnings Multiple 1.7x 1.7x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$271,220
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$152,728
44% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,410/yr, roughly in line with the $40,998 national median for Urban Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 1.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Urban Studies's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #24 of 25 Urban Studies programs, Vassar College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Vassar College

Vassar College accepts 18% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a compact campus enrolling 2,430 students in Poughkeepsie, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $152,728 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Vassar College →

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

Compare this program → View all 25 schools offering Urban Studies →

Urban Studies at Other Schools

University of California-Berkeley ($58,171) San Francisco State University ($50,008) Brown University ($48,731) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($47,585) University of Washington-Tacoma Campus ($47,585) California State University-Northridge ($46,826) University of Nevada-Las Vegas ($46,712) Portland State University ($45,870)

Other Majors at Vassar College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,037) Economics ($79,845) Mathematics ($52,085) Political Science and Government ($48,679) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($45,599) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($41,752) History ($38,461) Biology, General ($37,802)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Urban Studies at Vassar College?
A score of 34/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Urban Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Urban Studies careers?
With 37% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $449,180 in decade earnings vs $473,155 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →