Urban & Regional Planningat Cornell University
Graduates earn $37,131/yr in their first year — about 12.0% below the national Urban & Regional Planning average. Base-case 10-year earnings $738K; scenarios range from $675K to $758K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cornell University
While the initial earnings may seem modest for an Ivy League degree, your Cornell planning education is a long-term investment in network and reputation, not a direct path to high-paying private sector work. Many graduates pursue vital but less lucrative careers in municipal government, regional authorities, or non-profit advocacy, shaping communities for the public good. The program's strength lies in its theoretical rigor and policy focus, preparing you for influential roles that data can't capture. You'll find alumni leading planning departments in major cities or working for global development organizations, not just local consulting firms. Your key to maximizing this degree's value is leveraging the powerful Cornell alumni network from day one. Seek out informational interviews with graduates in your target sector—be it sustainable development, transportation, or housing policy—to build connections that lead to impactful, if not always top-paying, careers.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Urban & Regional Planning
How Cornell University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cornell University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Urban & Regional Planning offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Urban & Regional Planning trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Urban & Regional Planning at Cornell University
What does a 27/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Urban & Regional Planning at Cornell University?
At 27/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Urban & Regional Planning programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Urban & 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 Urban & 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.