Program Analysis
At $50,008 per year, Urban Studies/Affairs graduates from San Francisco State University earn slightly above the $40,998 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
With a 18.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Urban Studies/Affairs career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $18,625 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
San Francisco State University ranks #3 among 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $50,008 to $57,943 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.