We've compiled the most up-to-date information on these fully or mostly online Online Urban Planning degree programs across the U.S. This data is accurate as of March 21, 2025. We carefully reviewed quality, affordability, and student outcomes to bring you the best options. Explore our updated rankings below to find the program that's right for you.
Arizona State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Planning in urban planning teaches theories and practices for creating equitable, healthy and happy communities. In this unique program, you’ll study transportation, business districts, neighborhoods, green space and more. Upon completion, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to design impactful communities. Throughout this degree, you'll develop a strong foundation of the history, theory and contemporary practices of urban planning. Courses are taught by distinguished faculty members who’ll guide you as you explore relevant physical, social, political and economic issues. You’ll also have the opportunity to cater your education to your interests with elective courses featuring specialized topics, such as ethics, economic development and government planning. In this program, you’ll learn to cultivate an analytical perspective in urban planning and development. You’ll also acquire a range of transferable skills, including problem solving, design, public engagement and critical thinking. Additionally, you’ll gain experience using contemporary planning tools, such as GIS, that’ll help you stand out from the competition in the job market. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to design communities and directly impact residents’ quality of life.
["Problem solving", "Design", "Public engagement", "Critical thinking", "Analytical perspective in urban planning and development"]
The Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning degree program is based in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning (LAUP) within the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. The Urban and Regional Planning program equips students for entry-level positions in planning allied fields and prepares them for graduate studies in fields such as Urban Planning and Land Development. The core curriculum, designed to equip students with knowledge and skills to deal effectively with the opportunities and challenges inherent in the development, growth and culture of neighborhoods, cities, and regions, is based on theoretical training in the natural, physical, and social sciences. Students acquire skills that enable them to apply these theories to develop communities, cities, and regions which are safe, healthy, and sustainable. Critical thinking and analytical skills are emphasized for problem-solving at the community and regional scale. Classroom service-learning experiences enable graduates to more reliably and realistically assess complex community problems, design solutions for overcoming those problems, and evaluate the outcomes of programs and policies in meeting community and regional needs. The Urban Policy Track emphasizes policy solutions for building resilient, efficient, healthy, and sustainable communities. Policy evaluation and formulation address urban issues related to the equitable provision of public services, housing, environmental services, employment, and transportation. Skill-building emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and written and verbal communication.
["Critical thinking", "Analytical skills", "Problem-solving", "Written and verbal communication", "Policy evaluation and formulation"]
Portland State University offers a flexible online Bachelor’s Degree program in Urban and Public Affairs designed for a diverse student body including working adults, community college transfers, and career changers. This college-wide online bachelor’s degree lets you integrate courses from multiple departments in PSU’s renowned College of Urban and Public Affairs and the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. The program allows students to tailor their courses to fit their interests, across topics such as urban design and planning, crime prevention and criminal justice policy, politics, public administration, civic engagement, public health, economics, and international & global studies. Students can combine online with in-classroom learning, and courses transferred from other programs may also be used.
["Ability to draw connections", "See the big picture", "Versatile skill set applicable to public, nonprofit, and private employers"]
The Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies (BSUS) is the degree for individuals desiring to make a difference in their community. The BSUS at UNLV is an undergraduate degree that provides students with the conceptual knowledge and technical skills they need to understand and analyze the physical, social, political and economic environment of large and small urban communities. Urban Studies at UNLV will equip students with the skills and understanding to address many of the most pressing issues facing society today, and most of them are urban in nature. The curriculum will offer a set of core classes building a duel foundation of urban data analysis and community engagement. Because of the school’s belief in a multi-disciplinary approach to learning, Urban Studies students will develop a deeper grasp of specific aspects of the urban environment, including but not limited to economic development, sustainability, governance, or data analytics. Finally, and maybe most importantly, Urban Studies students will have the opportunity to apply skills to meeting community needs and solutions. Students, faculty, and graduates will work in public agencies and a wide range of community-based organizations in the Las Vegas metro region. This program is available fully online as well as face-to-face.
["Understanding of sustainability", "Characterization of roles in policy and governance", "Information literacy and numeracy", "Communication of data needs and analyses", "Skills for successful collaboration"]
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