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Learn How to Improve Your City and Region

student attend Michigan Association of Planning conferenceIf you live in the Detroit metropolitan area, you know that like all such regions it faces challenges with:

  • Economic development
  • Urban poverty and income inequality
  • Preserving and promoting culture, architecture and art
  • Land use conflicts
  • Providing adequate and sustainable transportation and housing
  • Protecting the environment
  • Ensuring public safety while protecting civil rights

What causes these problems and how might they be solved? You’ll explore these issues and many more in our urban and regional studies bachelor’s degree program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge, techniques, and critical analytical skills that will enable you to effectively participate in improving your city and region.

Our program is interdisciplinary, drawing from traditional academic disciplines like anthropology, economics, English, geography, history and sociology to give you a well-rounded understanding of urbanization.

Where an Urban and Regional Studies Degree Will Take You

A bachelor’s degree in urban and regional studies is excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers in areas such as urban planning, economic development, neighborhood and community development, public policy, environmental policy and planning, historic preservation, housing advocacy, social services, public administration, real estate, education, nonprofit management, health care, and others. It also provides a solid foundation for pursuing graduate studies in numerous fields.

Career and Salary Outlook

The information in this table is meant to give you an idea of career opportunities with this degree. All information is pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is meant to be averages across the United States for 2022. Please note that these figures reflect overall averages and may not represent entry-level salaries.

$81,800 Median Salary

Urban and Regional Planners (master’s usually required)

Employment of urban and regional planners is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 3,700 openings for urban and regional planners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$90,880 Median Salary

Geographers

Employment of geographers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.

Despite limited employment growth, about 100 openings for geographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$60,960 Median Salary

Survey Researchers (master’s usually required)

Employment of survey researchers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2022 to 2032.

Despite declining employment, about 700 openings for survey researchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$77,030 Median Salary

Social and Community Service Managers

Employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 16,000 openings for social and community service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

$101,770 Median Salary

Sociologists (master’s usually required)

Employment of sociologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 300 openings for sociologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Program Details

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Application Deadlines

UM-Dearborn has rolling admissions throughout the year, and deadlines depend on your student type. Apply early, priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships may be given to earlier applicants.

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Tuition

Get started early on your financial planning for college. Complete the net price calculator to get an estimate of your cost to attend UM-Dearborn.

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Go Blue Guarantee

Students at UM-Dearborn are eligible for the Go Blue Guarantee - University of Michigan’s landmark promise of free tuition for high-achieving in-state undergraduate students from qualifying backgrounds. Major financial support is available for students who do not fully qualify.

Paying for College

I don't know if I would have been as invested in the food pantry if I hadn't learned so much from the URST program.

SARA ALQARAGHOLY, URBAN AND REGIONAL STUDIES

How to Get Involved

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You can help your friends register to vote, join the UM-Dearborn student chapter of the International City/County Management Association or the Political Science Association, participate in an Alternative Spring Break trip, check out any of the more than 150 student clubs and organizations on campus, and much more.

Next Steps

Become a part of the UM-Dearborn community and put your dreams to work for you.

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