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First, some facts. Of the Urban Studies-Affairs 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 66 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Urban Studies-Affairs graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) 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, 45% 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 Urban Studies-Affairs graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 41% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Unversity of Toledo with a Bachelors of Arts in Urban Studies-Affairs. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONResolution Analyst Rocket Mortgage Apr 2020 - Sep 2022 Content Creator  Beats Rhymes Everything Detroit Jul 2019 - Present Community Partnership Associate  Human-I-T Sep 2023 - Present ABOUTMy career has been diverse, with a strong focus on customer service. From retail to corporate roles, I have honed my communication and problem-solving skills to meet customer needs and foster long-term relationships. I aim to contribute positively to the world by devising innovative and viable solutions for sustainable development, both economically and ecologically. I believe that by integrating sustainable practices into social entrepreneurship and urban planning, we can create thriving communities that benefit all people. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we take a look at the diverse career paths that people with degrees in Urban Studies-Affairs have pursued, it's pretty clear that there's a mix of relevant and unrelated jobs. On one hand, you have roles that are directly tied to what they learned in school—like city planners, community organizers, and compliance analysts for urban transportation authorities. These positions are perfect fits because they take all that urban theory and apply it to real-world problems, such as community planning and resource management. For example, a Community Planner at Will County Land Use Department utilizes the core knowledge from Urban Studies in land use and community organization, showing a clear connection to their degree.
On the other hand, many individuals have drifted into careers that don’t really need that Urban Studies knowledge. Jobs like bartending, working as a dog walker, or even as a sales associate at various companies don’t directly tie into what they studied. These roles focus more on hospitality or sales skills rather than urban planning, policy, or societal analysis. For example, a Community Habilitation Assistant supports individuals with disabilities, which is somewhat related to community welfare, but doesn’t dive deeply into urban policy or planning. So, it contradicts the educational focus of Urban Studies. Even roles that may benefit from some aspects of community engagement typically don’t require the same in-depth knowledge gained from an Urban Studies degree.
In summary, while there are indeed some common and relevant job types for Urban Studies-Affairs graduates—like community planners, policy analysts, and positions that directly involve urban and community development—the scope of jobs taken up by these graduates extends into a variety of other fields that don’t require specific Urban Studies skills. This mix highlights both the versatility of their degree and the reality that many graduates may find themselves in jobs that don’t fully utilize their specialized knowledge. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, showcasing the different paths people can take after pursuing a degree in Urban Studies-Affairs.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Urban Studies-Affairs graduates:
Looking at the career trajectories of Urban Studies and Affairs graduates from various universities, there's a mix of paths that people have taken after earning their degrees. It can be eye-opening to see where they end up, especially considering that urban studies can lead to so many different fields, like planning, public policy, community development, and sometimes even unrelated roles. Most graduates, right out of college, seem to start with internships or entry-level roles that are somewhat connected to their studies—like the Planning Intern at a city department or a Community Associate working on local initiatives. However, there are also cases where graduates opted for jobs that seem to stray from the core of Urban Studies altogether, such as working in customer service or retail.
Fast-forward five to ten years later, and there's a notable divergence in trajectories. Many graduates who had relevant first jobs have managed to climb up the ladder into more significant roles—like becoming city planners, program managers, or even directors in various urban and community-focused organizations. On the flip side, some individuals have stayed in positions that feel quite removed from the essence of urban studies, continuing in customer service or unrelated fields. Though a good number have transitioned into positions that utilize their skills and education, it's apparent that not all graduates have seamlessly leveraged their degree into a flourishing career in Urban Studies. So while some are thriving in meaningful roles related to urban planning or community engagement, others have faced a more winding path with varied levels of success and relevance to their studies. It's certainly a mixed bag of experiences!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies-Affairs tends to be on the easier side compared to some other degrees, but that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. You’ll definitely have to engage with some complex ideas about cities, culture, and policy, and there might be a fair amount of reading and writing involved. But if you’ve got a genuine interest in how urban environments function and how to improve them, you might find the topics really engaging. Overall, if you’re motivated and enjoy discussing social issues and planning, it can be a pretty enjoyable ride!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Urban Studies-Affairs.
Alright, so let's break this down. It looks like the graduates from Urban Studies-Affairs programs have had mixed experiences in terms of income. For example, the community habilitation assistant and therapist roles a recent graduate from Manhattan College is in probably don't pay much initially, which is common for entry-level positions in social services. On the flip side, graduates like the one from the University of Illinois at Chicago seem to be climbing the career ladder pretty quickly and landing roles that typically offer better financial compensation, such as being a community planner and then an economic development manager. So, while some might start on the lower end of the pay scale, others are rapidly advancing to more lucrative positions.
In general, those who have been in the field for several years, especially those who moved into roles like program managers or planners in city government, are likely doing decently in terms of salary. But it’s fair to say that right out of college, many will find themselves in jobs that won’t pay a ton right away, especially in nonprofits or governmental roles. However, a strong upward trajectory is evident for many, suggesting that there is decent earning potential as they gain experience and move into more senior positions.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Urban Studies-Affairs. This may or may not be useful:
