CRP Fact Sheet

Key highlights

Key highlights that demonstrate Community and Regional Planning Program (CRP)’s unique contributions to UNL, State of Nebraska, and broader planning profession.

Academic Excellence 

  • National Accreditation: UNL’s MCRP program is the only PAB-accredited planning program in Nebraska since 1972. This longstanding accreditation ensures that our graduates meet the highest national professional standards and are fully prepared to serve communities across the state and region. Also the only accredited planning program across NE and its neighboring states (SD, ND, WY, MT)
  • 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.  In addition, enrollment has also increased by 77% over the past five years (between AY 2019-2020 and AY 2023-2024).
  • 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.
  • Job Placement: The MCRP program achieved a 100% job placement rate for its 2024 graduates.
  • Strengthened Partnerships: The CRP 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.

Research Excellence & National Standing

  • 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.

Financial Contribution 

  • CRP is profitable, contributing more revenue to UNL than budget to deliver, generating $298,077 in positive net contribution to UNL. 
  • In addition, the program has secured over $3 million in external research funding—primarily from federal sources—equivalent to roughly $600,000 annually. Even at a conservative 15% F&A rate, this external funding provides an average of at least $90,000 per year in indirect cost return to the university over the past five years. Together, tuition revenue and research indirect costs contribute nearly $388,077 annually to UNL, all supported by only four faculty members. This demonstrates how a small program can make substantial and meaningful contributions to the university system.

Community Impact

  • 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.
  • 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 planning projects across Nebraska in the past 8 years, directly benefiting local governments and residents. CRP makes significant contributions in state-wide flood mitigation planning, housing and community development, downtown revitalization, healthy and active community, health access, transportation, environmental planning and economic development planning.
  • Community Engagement Recognition: CRP has been recognized as a vital contributor to UNL's community engagement efforts, acknowledged by the Carnegie Foundation for excellence.

 

 

CRP Economic Impact

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.
  • 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:
  • 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.

Professional & Employer Partnerships

  • 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.
  • Contribution to AAU (Association of American Universities)
  • CRP can contribute to AAU matrix with excellent research quality - nationally ranked, research-productive, and externally funded program that directly advances the university’s mission. CRP is ranked 9th nationally in research productivity (Academic Analytics SRI) and has secured over $3M in external funding in the past five years, often through interdisciplinary collaborations with engineering, public health, and natural resources. In addition, CRP’s applied projects across Nebraska exemplify land-grant engagement while enhancing student success and workforce readiness, further aligning with AAU standards. Its elimination would reduce UNL’s competitiveness in community impact, research, external funding, and student success outcomes, all of which are central to the AAU’s evaluation framework.

Why This Matters  

  • For Nebraska’s Economy: CRP more than pays for itself, produces higher-earning graduates, retains talent in the state, strengthens the state’s professional planning workforce. 
  • For Communities: From small towns to cities, CRP projects make communities safer, healthier, and more prosperous. 
  • For UNL’s Reputation: As Nebraska’s only accredited planning program, CRP enhances UNL’s national visibility, research profile, and competitiveness for external funding. 

  • For Students: CRP provides a rigorous, high-quality education with excellent job placement rates and strong connections to leading employers across the public and private sectors.