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Urban Studies/Affairs at Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,410/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (37% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,900 openings/yr)
ROI 1.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #24 of 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Urban Studies/Affairs graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $473K $475K $449K
Earnings Multiple 1.7x 1.7x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$271,220
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$152,728
44% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,410/yr, roughly in line with the $40,998 national median for Urban Studies/Affairs. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 1.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Urban Studies/Affairs's typical career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #24 of 25 Urban Studies/Affairs programs, Vassar College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Vassar College

Vassar College accepts 18% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a compact campus enrolling 2,430 students in Poughkeepsie, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $152,728 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Vassar College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Sociologists $101,690/yr
Urban and regional planners $83,720/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 25 schools offering Urban Studies/Affairs →

Urban Studies/Affairs at Other Schools

University of California-Berkeley ($58,171) San Francisco State University ($50,008) Brown University ($48,731) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($47,585) University of Washington-Tacoma Campus ($47,585) California State University-Northridge ($46,826) University of Nevada-Las Vegas ($46,712) Portland State University ($45,870)

Other Majors at Vassar College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,037) Economics ($79,845) Mathematics ($52,085) Political Science and Government ($48,679) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($45,599) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($41,752) History ($38,461) Biology, General ($37,802)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Urban Studies/Affairs at Vassar College?
A score of 34/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Urban Studies/Affairs. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Urban Studies/Affairs careers?
With 37% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $449,180 in decade earnings vs $473,155 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →