CRP Fact Sheet

Key highlights

These points demonstrate CRP’s unique contributions to UNL, the State of Nebraska, and the broader planning profession:

 

  • National Accreditation: UNL’s MCRP program is the only PAB-accredited planning program in Nebraska since 1972, preparing professional planners to serve the state and region. Only planning program in near states (NE, SD, ND, WY, MT)

     

  • Financial Contribution: CRP is profitable, contributing more revenue to UNL than budget to deliver, generating $298,077 in positive net contribution to UNL

     

  • Research Excellence: Ranked 9th nationally in urban and regional planning discipline (Scholarly Research Index, Academic Analytics).

     

  • Research Growth: Secured more than $3 million in competitive external funding over the past five years, including federally funded projects.

     

  • Leadership in Critical Research Areas: Leading role in critical research topics for the State of Nebraska, including flood recovery and resilience planning, wetland conservation, rural healthcare, Geo-AI research, aging population studies, transportation safety, and environmental justice.

     

  • Community Service & Impact: In alignment with UNL’s land-grant mission, CRP plays a vital role in supporting communities and counties across Nebraska. Nearly 40 community-engaged projects across Nebraska in the past 8 years, directly benefiting local governments and residents.

     

  • Community Engagement Recognition: CRP has been recognized as a vital contributor to UNL's community engagement efforts, acknowledged by the Carnegie Foundation for excellence.

     

  • Academic Growth: CRP has experienced a steady upward trend in student enrollment and graduation numbers. The number of MCRP degrees awarded experienced a notable increase of +28.8%, during ACY 2017-2024, compared to ACY 2010-2017.

     

  • Interdisciplinary Pathways/Connections: CRP provides essential academic connections through dual degree pathways, including Architecture, Civil Engineering, Juris Doctor (Law), and Public Health (in partnership with UNMC). It also offers “4+1” accelerated pathways with Environmental and Sustainability Studies (College of Arts and Sciences + IANR), Landscape Architecture, and a graduate certificate in Urban Design.

     

  • Strengthened Partnerships: The program has significantly enhanced its connections with alumni, external partners, and professional organizations, fostering engagement in teaching, advising, research collaborations, and service to Nebraska communities.

     

  • Nebraska State Law Requirement for Comprehensive Plans and Zoning

  • Under Nebraska state law, municipalities are required to adopt and maintain a comprehensive plan as the foundation for zoning regulations and land-use decisions. The CRP program plays a vital role in preparing professional planners who help Nebraska cities and counties meet this legal obligation, ensuring compliance while promoting sustainable and resilient community development.

     

 

CRP Economic Impact

  • Strong Job Growth: Between 2017 and 2024, growth in the CRP field was a prime factor in Nebraska’s occupational expansion. Jobs for community and regional planners in the state grew 40.4% more than the national average.

     

  • Salary Premium: In 2024, CRP graduates earned an average salary 18% higher than the typical Nebraska worker—representing a premium of $10,840.

     

  • Employer Partnerships: Nebraska is home to three of the nation’s top ten architecture, design, and planning firms—HDR, DLR, and Leo A Daly—all of which rely heavily on UNL graduates, signaling persistent demand and strong employer partnerships.

 

  • Employment Expansion: From 2017–2024, employment at Nebraska’s architecture and engineering (A&E) firms grew 29.7%, compared with just 3.8% growth in total state employment.   (CoA‑aligned sectors outpaced the statewide average).

 

  • Employer Base: Approximately 238 architecture, design, and planning firms in Nebraska provide career opportunities for CoA graduates.

 

  • Job Placement: The MCRP program achieved a 100% job placement rate for its 2024 graduates.

 

  • Brain Gain Contribution: In 2024, by recruiting out-of-state students and retaining Nebraska high school graduates, the CRP program contributed $1.9 million to Nebraska’s brain gain.

 

Graduate Retention:

  • Destination of 2024 CRP graduates: 73.3% remained in Nebraska, 6.7% moved to border states, 20% moved to non-border states.

 

Wage and Job Growth Trends:

  • Community Impact: during past 8 years, CRP engaged in approximately 40 community projects, impacting 93 counties across Nebraska.

 

  • From 2014 to 2024, planner pay in Nebraska rose 54.5%, compared with a 14.1% increase nationwide.

 

  • The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for Nebraska CRP jobs between 2014 and 2024 was 4.5%, outpacing the U.S. average.