Urban and Public Policy Studies
Do you want to help reduce the number of people living in poverty? Are you interested in how city governments make decisions that affect millions of people? Would you like to create policies that improve public transportation, housing and other issues? If so, this is the major for you. Urban and public policy studies is an interdisciplinary program that helps you understand the complex relationships between social issues and the policies behind them, so you can use your knowledge to help people around the world.
What will I learn?
As an urban and public policy studies major, you’ll focus on topics that help you understand how cities work—including environmental design, geography, sociology, political science and sustainability.
This is a flexible program, where you can choose to study policies related to race, housing, transportation, health and other topics that shape our cities. Throughout the program, you can also take courses in practical skills that are applicable across disciplines, such as how to write a grant or evaluate a program.
What can I do with an urban and public policy studies degree?
With thousands of cities around the world, there are plenty of opportunities to put your talent and skill to work.
A degree in urban and public policy is designed to prepare you for a career in many different types of organizations, including government agencies, urban planning and development consultants, nonprofit and community groups, and real estate developers.
Our graduates have worked for a variety of leading organizations, including:
- Chicago Transit Authority.
- City of Wooster Division of Planning.
- Ellicott Development Co.
- Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
- HSBC Bank.
- Syracuse Economic Development Corporation.
- Teach for America.
- U.S. Department of Labor.
- Western New York Law Center.
Many students also go to graduate school to get an advanced degree in urban planning, public administration, public policy, law or other related fields.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $47,950.00 | $23.05 | Rapid Growth, Many Openings |
| Sociologists | $134,430.00 | $64.63 | Rapid Growth |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $103,980.00 | $49.99 | |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $65,900.00 | $31.69 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.