Best colleges for City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, University of Southern California leads: its City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning graduates earn a median $106,094 four years after finishing, against the field's $66,874 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | $106,094 | +$39,220 |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $80,820 | +$13,946 |
| 3 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $72,704 | +$5,830 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning?
By graduate earnings, University of Southern California — its City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning bachelor's graduates earn a median $106,094 four years out, the highest of the 3 California programs in the federal file.
What do City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $72,704 to $106,094. The field's national median is $66,874.
Is a City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning graduates earn $18,514/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.