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Urban Studies/Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,626/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (37% exposed)

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

ROI 8.1x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #22 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/Affairs graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$533K	$530K	$494K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.1x	8.1x	7.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.4x	3.4x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	37	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,832

Out-of-state: $156,168 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$77,808

-18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,250

7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$52,091

55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Virginia Commonwealth University's Urban Studies/Affairs graduates start at $33,626/yr, trailing the $40,998 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 8.1x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,250 debt-to-$33,626 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #22 out of 25 programs, Virginia Commonwealth University's financial outcomes for Urban Studies/Affairs trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $33,626 to $52,091 over five years (55% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

A 93% acceptance rate means Virginia Commonwealth University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 20,797 in Richmond, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University →

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 Virginia Commonwealth University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Virginia Commonwealth University's Urban Studies/Affairs program score?

This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Urban Studies/Affairs. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Urban Studies/Affairs to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Urban Studies/Affairs careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 37% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Urban Studies/Affairs earnings lower at Virginia Commonwealth University?

Lower starting pay at Virginia Commonwealth University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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