Loading....

Urban Studies and Planning

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Compare

What is Urban Studies and Planning?

Urban Studies & Planning focuses on the way our cities are designed, constructed, and planned. You'll have the opportunity to decide what you enjoy more, from planning parks to working on highway transportation. Projects can range from upgrading a historical neighborhood to city planning. As an Urban Studies and Planning student, you’ll study:

  • Planning philosophy
  • Analytical methods
  • Problem formulation and resolution
  • Law and local government
  • Aesthetic, cultural, social, economic, ecological, and physical characteristics of human settlement

This major is intended to prepare you for a career as a professional planner or graduate study in planning or a related field. 

Career Options

  • Economic development
  • Environmental protection & regulation
  • Historic preservation & regulation
  • Housing & community development
  • Nonprofit work
  • Parks & recreation
  • Planning, zoning, & building
  • Real estate development
  • State government
  • Transportation & parking

Post-Graduation Success1

83% employed or continuing education

37% employed after graduation

46% attending graduate school

$52,600 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Chicago Education Advocacy Cooperative (1), Cushman & Wakefield (1), Kane County Division of Transportation (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, University of British Columbia View All

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

  • Strong social science coursework and performance

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention2

3.7 years to degree

100% first-year retention rate

64% four-year graduation rate

91% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $14,620
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses: $18,884
  • Total: $38,558

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $34,972
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses:$19,224
  • Total: $59,250

International

  • Tuition: $35,966
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses: $19,224
  • Total: $60,244
Top