Urban Studiesat San Francisco State University
Graduates earn $50,008/yr in their first year — about 22.0% above the national Urban Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $537K; scenarios range from $500K to $541K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at SF State
San Francisco State's Urban Studies/Affairs program thrives due to its strategic location in the Bay Area, a global hub for innovation yet grappling with significant urban challenges like housing, transportation, and social equity. Your strong outcomes reflect the critical demand for professionals who can navigate this complex environment. You'll find a direct pipeline to careers in local government agencies, non-profits focused on community development and advocacy, and private sector firms engaged in planning, real estate, and urban policy. The program likely leverages its setting to provide practical experience, connecting you with actual projects and key players in San Francisco's unique urban landscape. To maximize your advantage, proactively seek internships and tailor your coursework to specialize in areas like sustainable development, housing policy, or data-driven urban analysis.
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 SF State'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 Studies
How SF State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at SF State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at SF State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Urban Studies at SF State
What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Urban Studies at San Francisco State University?
At 60/100, San Francisco State University's Urban Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Urban Studies at San Francisco State University?
The 37% 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.
Is San Francisco State University one of the best schools for Urban Studies?
Among 25 Urban Studies programs, San Francisco State University's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.