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City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,832/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (34% exposed)
Job Market Medium (20,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 15 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $534K $531K $504K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.1x 12.0x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.3x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 69% 56%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,334
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$71,455
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,832/yr, edging above the $42,023 national average for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning's typical career paths, with 34% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,334 in median debt against $47,832 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #8 of 15 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 30% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 21,521 students in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480/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 15 schools offering City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning →

City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at Other Schools

Texas A & M University-College Station ($50,580) Texas State University ($47,256) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($46,954) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($46,954) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($46,122) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($45,960) Iowa State University ($44,146) Ohio State University-Main Campus ($41,501)

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Computer Engineering ($111,560) Computer Science ($111,141) Construction Management ($92,785) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($90,576) Industrial Engineering ($87,226) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($85,509) Mechanical Engineering ($83,011) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($82,197)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning careers?
With 34% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $504,448 in decade earnings vs $533,909 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →