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City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,131/yr (-12% vs median)

AI Risk High (34% exposed)

Job Market Medium (20,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #15 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	$758K	$738K	$675K
Earnings Multiple	2.9x	2.8x	2.6x
Probability of Field Employment	74%	69%	56%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	27	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$264,056

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$129,348

51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,952

4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,676

90% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,131/yr, roughly in line with the $42,023 national median for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 2.8x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $37,131 far exceeding the $12,952 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #15 ranking among 15 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs places Cornell University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $37,131-to-$70,676 earnings arc over five years reflects a 90% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Cornell University

Cornell University's 8% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, serving 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell University →

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

City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cornell University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 27/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at Cornell University?

At 27/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at Cornell University?

The 34% 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.

What do students actually pay for City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at Cornell University?

The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,056. At a net cost of $129,348, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

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