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Urban Studies/Affairs at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,811/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (37% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,900 openings/yr)
ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 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 $568K $562K $520K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.9x 9.8x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.6x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,092
-3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,205
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,709
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,811 per year, Urban Studies/Affairs graduates from Wayne State University earn slightly above the $40,998 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

A 9.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Urban Studies/Affairs career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $25,205 against $43,811/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #7 ranking among 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs places Wayne State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 39% earnings increase from $43,811 to $60,709 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Wayne State University

With 82% of applicants admitted, Wayne State University prioritizes broad access, serving 15,676 students in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State 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

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

Urban Studies/Affairs 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 Wayne State University

Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($82,524) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,738) Industrial Engineering ($77,815) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($77,371) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,793) Mechanical Engineering ($74,457) Civil Engineering ($73,488) Chemical Engineering ($71,373)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Urban Studies/Affairs at Wayne State University?
At 51/100, Wayne State University's Urban Studies/Affairs program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Urban Studies/Affairs at Wayne State University?
The 37% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →