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First, some facts. Of the City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 111 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 38% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 5% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from The University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCertified Personal Trainer Wellbridge Apr 2014 - May 2015 Flight Attendant  Allegiant Air May 2015 - Present ABOUTI am passionate about urban design and planning, health and wellness, and of course travel. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the career paths of people who graduated with degrees in City-Urban, Community, and Regional Planning, a few clear themes emerge. Many of these graduates have taken roles that are directly aligned with their education, emphasizing roles like Assistant Planner, Associate Planner, and various other planning positions, especially within government agencies. Interestingly, quite a few have also ventured into positions that, while they may touch on urban planning concepts, do not directly apply the skills and knowledge gained during their degree programs. For instance, jobs in real estate sales, marketing, or administrative roles often pop up, showcasing a mix of relevance and irrelevance.
The most common jobs identified among these graduates appear to be in municipal or county planning departments, such as Assistant Planner or Associate Planner roles. This is great news because these positions not only apply the knowledge and techniques learned during their studies but also help shape the communities they live in. Planners often work on projects that directly impact local neighborhoods, making this position, once again, very relevant to their degree. Furthermore, many of the graduates have also maintained roles in GIS (Geographical Information Systems), which is another critical area that supports urban planning and is recognized as highly relevant. Roles like GIS Analyst or Technician at various municipalities further tie their academic grounding to real-world applications.
However, some graduates find themselves in positions that aren't closely tied to urban planning, such as customer service roles, marketing, or even event management. These jobs often lack the core competencies associated with City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning, even though they might involve aspects of community engagement or organizational skills. This suggests that while the graduates possess knowledge applicable to urban planning, not all of them end up in sectors where that expertise is utilized meaningfully. In conclusion, while a percentage of graduates find rewarding and relevant careers in planning, others may end up in fields that don’t fully exploit their academic training. This mix highlights the broader applicability of the skills learned in their degree but also raises questions about how aligned the job market is with their educational focus in urban and community planning.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in City-Urban, Community, and Regional Planning, you can see a mix of outcomes, some leaning towards success in relevant fields while others reveal challenges in finding a solid footing within their area of study. For many of these graduates, their first job post-graduation typically involves positions like Assistant Planner, which makes sense as they begin to build their experience and apply their education directly in a planning-related role. One example is the graduate from Western Washington University in 2020, who quickly moved from Assistant Planner to Associate Planner within just a few years. This trajectory reflects a promising start for graduates eager to take steps within urban planning departments.
However, not all graduates follow the same path. For instance, a Western Washington University graduate from 2018 shifted gears towards roles in the Oregon Department of Human Services, which is unrelated to their degree. The inconsistency in career success is evident, especially with some graduates transitioning into non-planning roles or completely different fields over the years, such as real estate or data analysis. Meanwhile, others like a graduate from Michigan State University seemingly thrive in planning-related tasks but often in more peripheral roles like Communications Associate rather than directly in urban planning, which suggests they may have veered off the intended path.
Fast forward five to ten years, and many of those who started as an Assistant Planner tend to advance to higher roles such as Senior Planner or even Principal Planner, particularly in more stable municipalities. This reflects the standard upward mobility expected in local government planning jobs. For example, the graduate from The University of Texas at Austin, who started as a Planner II at the City of Laredo, is now a Senior Planner in a larger city, demonstrating a successful career trajectory. Yet, some graduates have seen stagnation, remaining in lower-tier positions long after they should have advanced, indicating potential barriers or lack of opportunities within their organizations.
In summary, while many graduates from City-Urban, Community, and Regional Planning programs find relevant jobs that lead to career growth, there's also a significant number who struggle to stay within the field. Numerous factors like regional job markets, the specific focus of their studies, and personal choices impact their career paths. Aspiring students should tread carefully, getting involved in internships or networking early to enhance their chances of landing fulfilling positions that align closely with their degrees.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning can be pretty challenging, but it’s not the hardest out there. You’ll dive into a mix of subjects like geography, sociology, and environmental science, plus you might have to tackle some design and technical skills too. There are definitely tough classes and projects, especially if you’re not super into math or big research papers, but if you’re passionate about making communities better and enjoy some creative problem-solving, it can be really rewarding. Overall, it’s a solid mix, so if you’re willing to put in the effort, you’ll probably find it manageable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning.
When it comes to the job trajectories of these City-Urban and Regional Planning graduates, it’s a mixed bag in terms of financial success. For instance, recent graduates like the ones from Western Washington University and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona seem to be starting in entry-level positions, such as assistant planners, which might not pay as well initially. However, with experience, many have opportunities to move up into higher-paying roles, especially those who graduated earlier, like the California Polytechnic State University graduates from 2010 and 2013, who are now senior planners or even in director positions, suggesting they likely pulled in decent salaries over the years.
On the other hand, some other graduates, like those from Iowa State University and some California schools, show a pattern of jumping between roles that might not lead to significant pay increases or career advancement in a short time. For roles in planning and urban development, the monetary rewards tend to rise with seniority and experience, so younger graduates may need to be patient or consider side hustles until they secure more lucrative positions. Overall, while some graduates may be doing quite well now, others are still working their way up and may not be making a whole lot just yet. It's a journey, but if they play their cards right, they could see better pay as they climb the ladder.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning (ordered by the average relevance score of their City-Urban, Community and Regional Planning graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: