UC Planning Program Moves Up in National Rankings: No. 16 in U.S., Best in Ohio

The 2012 rankings of the nation’s top master’s degree programs in urban planning were recently released, and the University of Cincinnati’s graduate planning program was ranked

No. 16 in the nation, No. 4 in the Midwest region and best in Ohio

.

With its high rankings in planning, UC is grouped with other top-25 programs like Harvard University, Cornell University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With its top ranking in the Midwest – which includes schools in 12 states – UC is grouped with other leading regional schools like the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan.

The Planetizen "2012 Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs" is recently out from

Planetizen

, the leading Web site for the urban planning community. Planetizen developed the guide’s rankings based on a combination of statistical data from the programs and opinion data from planning educators. Data measures used included incoming student GPA, faculty publications and financial aid.

Student comments highlighted in the guided noted UC’s program for its

• Strong financial aid, scholarships and professional connections.

• Well-rounded curriculum.

And in looking at 2008 graduation statistics, the guided noted that 100 percent of UC’s 2008 master’s of community planning graduates were employed after one year – most in the private sector – with a median starting salary of $44,000.

Interest in urban planning as a major is on the rise. With the U.S. recently passing the 300-million population mark and with estimates projecting 100 million more Americans in the next 30 years, coping with urban growth is becoming paramount for cities and regions. Urban planning is the profession that guides development and redevelopment, economic stimulus, historic preservation, land use, social policy, transportation systems, housing and environmental protection.

• Visit Planetizen’s home page or to obtain the ranking's guide.
• Visit UC’s School of Planning web site
• Apply to UC’s master’s of community planning program.