Social Sciences

Urban Studies/Affairs

Focuses on the application of social science principles to the study of urban institutions and the forces influencing urban social and political life. Covers urban theory, the development and evolution of urban areas, urban sociology, principles of urban and social planning, and the politics and economics of urban government and services.

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Where it can lead

Careers this field can lead to

Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.

Growing with the economy

Managers, All Other

Median pay: $141,900
Hiring change through 2035: 4.9%
Job openings a year: 100,900

To get hiredBachelor's degree

Explore this career Growing with the economy

Urban and Regional Planners

Median pay: $89,320
Hiring change through 2035: 3.9%
Job openings a year: 3,200

To get hiredMaster's degree

Explore this career Growing slowly

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

Median pay: $72,990
Hiring change through 2035: 1.6%
Job openings a year: 1,300

To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree

Explore this career Growing with the economy

Sociologists

Median pay: $106,030
Hiring change through 2035: 3.8%
Job openings a year: 200

To get hiredMaster's degree

Explore this career

All work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $33,712 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.

Working style

How and where the work happens

Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.

0%of related openings involve substantial in-person or active work

Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.

College options

Where to study it

Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.

College	Degrees a year	Earnings, first year out	Admit rate	Average annual cost after aid
University of California-Irvine CA	67	$29,073	26%	$12,000
CUNY Queens College NY	36	—	69%	$7,000
University of California-Berkeley CA	35	$50,338	12%	$10,000
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN	35	$38,534	77%	$10,000
University of California-San Diego CA	33	$41,393	25%	$10,000
University of Nevada-Las Vegas NV	32	—	96%	$11,000
Cleveland State University OH	29	$33,712	95%	$15,000
California State University-Northridge CA	25	$33,144	93%	$8,000
Barnard College NY	25	$47,271	8%	$19,000
Virginia Commonwealth University VA	23	$32,639	93%	$21,000
Portland State University OR	22	—	91%	$9,000
The University of Texas at Austin TX	22	—	29%	$17,000
University of Pennsylvania PA	21	$46,426	6%	$10,000
Brown University RI	21	$23,206	5%	$6,000
CUNY Hunter College NY	20	—	54%	$6,000
New York University NY	20	—	9%	$17,000
University of Connecticut CT	19	$23,132	54%	$21,000
San Diego State University CA	18	—	34%	$13,000
Trinity College CT	18	—	34%	$18,000
University of Southern California CA	14	—	10%	$20,000
Fordham University NY	14	—	56%	$37,000
Bryn Mawr College PA	13	—	31%	$17,000
Boise State University ID	12	—	84%	$21,000
Columbia University in the City of New York NY	12	—	4%	$6,000
University at Buffalo NY	12	—	69%	$21,000
Vassar College NY	12	$28,521	18%	$14,000
Rhodes College TN	12	—	50%	$37,000
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee WI	12	—	88%	$12,000
Wayne State University MI	11	—	82%	$12,000
University at Albany NY	10	—	70%	$18,000
Loyola Marymount University CA	9	—	40%	$34,000
San Francisco State University CA	9	$41,994	96%	$12,000
Worcester State University MA	9	—	90%	$10,000
Haverford College PA	9	—	13%	—
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus PA	9	$24,887	50%	$23,000
Dillard University LA	8	—	41%	$23,000
The New School NY	8	—	63%	$56,000
Tennessee State University TN	8	—	93%	$16,000
University of New Orleans LA	7	—	67%	$13,000
Elmhurst University IL	6	—	76%	$23,000

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