Urban & Regional Planning at Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,719/yr (-46% vs median)
AI Risk High (34% exposed)
Job Market Medium (20,300 openings/yr)
ROI 42.4x earnings multiple (11.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 15 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning programs

Program Analysis

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.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Urban & Regional Planning graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $854K $827K $748K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 43.7x 42.4x 38.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.3x 11.9x 10.8x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 69% 56%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$19,516
Out-of-state: $69,296 (11.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$32,004
-64% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,114
11.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,382
188% growth from Year 1

About Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University has a 73% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 23,458 in Boca Raton, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida Atlantic 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

Urban & Regional Planning at Other Schools

Other Majors at Florida Atlantic 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

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