Urban & Regional Planningat Florida Atlantic University
Graduates earn $22,719/yr in their first year — about 46.0% below the national Urban & Regional Planning average. Base-case 10-year earnings $827K; scenarios range from $748K to $854K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Florida Atlantic University
While the career paths listed for this degree can be lucrative, the data suggests FAU graduates are not landing those top-tier roles. Instead, you're more likely to enter the competitive South Florida real estate and development market in entry-level positions. Many planning jobs in this region are tied to private developers or smaller municipalities, which often pay less than the major city planning departments in the Northeast or on the West Coast. This degree may provide a broad overview of urban issues, but it appears to lack the specialized technical skills or the powerful alumni network needed to secure high-paying public sector or consulting jobs right out of school. To beat these odds, you must aggressively pursue internships with city governments or major architectural firms well before you graduate to build a professional portfolio and a network that can lift you above the local competition.
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 Florida Atlantic 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 Florida Atlantic University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Florida Atlantic University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Florida Atlantic 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 Florida Atlantic University
How does Florida Atlantic University's Urban & Regional Planning program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Urban & Regional Planning. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Urban & Regional Planning to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Urban & Regional Planning careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 34% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Urban & Regional Planning earnings lower at Florida Atlantic University?
Lower starting pay at Florida Atlantic University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.