<p>I am thinking of majoring in urban planning or something along those longs (maybe geography) (transfering from Mechanical Engineering at NC State), and I am trying to find a good college to go to. I liked the looks of both Appalachian State and the University of Vermont (UVM for their Community/International Development and Entrepreneurship majors actually), but after reading reviews, I am somewhat discouraged. Part of the reason I don't like NC State is that it is very southern and traditional - I don't fit in hear. But UVM and Appalachian seem to be too polar too, only they seem to be liberal. Both have a big reputation of being drug-infested.</p>
<p>I am just looking for a medium sized school with good academics and studious students (but not too competitive) in a nice location that is not overly conservative or liberal or drug-infested. Does anybody know of a school that is moderate in this way?</p>
<p>If you are considering a career in urban planning, you will later need a master’s in urban planning to become eligible for entry-level positions. The best undergraduate programs for this field are sociology, economics, political science, environmental studies, geography, urban studies, civil engineering, and public policy.</p>
<p>Many thanks! If you had to recommend one of those fields for entering city planning, which would be the absolute most helpful? Right now my top choices are probably geography, environmental studies, and civil engineering. Would environmental engineering also be a good entry point?</p>
<p>I go to USC’s School of Policy Planning and Development in Los Angeles, CA. I highly recommend the program. But, each university and program will vary depending on the person. </p>
<p>Personally, I would select a school in a city that youre most interested in living and working in. All the programs specialize in their metro areas and employ tenured and adjunct professors that are masters in the field and have huge connections.</p>
<p>So I didn’t get a super clear answer on the best major at an undergraduate level - is there any undergraduate major that will help a city planner get a better-paying job or have an easier time finding a job over others, or do undergraduate majors not really matter when applying for graduate degrees and jobs beyond as long as they somehow relate?</p>
<p>UNC Chapel Hill is your best bet. You’d be insane to pay OOS prices at Cincinnati, UIC-Chicago, Rutgers, or the other publics suggested when you have such a great bargain available.</p>
No, but it offers a minor and the ability to take as many courses in that field as you’re willing to take. </p>
<p>It also offers an excellent public policy program and a top 5 sociology department. Combine that with the ability to take courses at Duke, extremely reasonable in-state tuition, and the high quality of life, and you have a university that easily trumps any suggested so far. It’s also strong across the board, something that cannot be said for universities like Clark or Cincinnati. </p>
<p>As tenisghs said, a master’s is essential regardless of one’s undergraduate field.