Best colleges for Urban Studies/Affairs in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, University of California-Berkeley leads: its Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn a median $76,125 four years after finishing, against the field's $62,532 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | $76,125 | +$13,593 |
| 2 | California State University-Northridge | $72,148 | +$9,616 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego | $71,380 | +$8,848 |
| 4 | San Francisco State University | $70,207 | +$7,675 |
| 5 | University of California-Irvine | $63,819 | +$1,287 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Urban Studies/Affairs?
By graduate earnings, University of California-Berkeley — its Urban Studies/Affairs bachelor's graduates earn a median $76,125 four years out, the highest of the 5 California programs in the federal file.
What do Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $63,819 to $76,125. The field's national median is $62,532.
Is a Urban Studies/Affairs degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn $14,172/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.