2027 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
[Urban Studies/Affairs](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/urban-studies-affairs/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban studies/affairs students.
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Finding the Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs School for You
The urban studies/affairs program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban studies/affairs degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among urban studies/affairs schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $72,012. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $13,612 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $46,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies/affairs will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $12,201. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $52,912. Set against $12,201 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Washington Tacoma Campus one of the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $18,965. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $47,585. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies/affairs will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #5. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California San Diego landed the #6 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $37,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #7 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,444 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $58,171. Set against $14,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Portland State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $36,850. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $45,870 early in their careers. Set against $36,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #9 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Stanford University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #12 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $46,712. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #13 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $34,385. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $25,205 in student loans. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $43,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,205 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #16 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $20,550. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $27,966. Set against $20,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #17 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Cleveland State University landed the #18 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $32,083 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Norfolk State University placed #19 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Georgia State University landed the #20 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $26,091. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $52,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #21 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $23,258. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo landed the #23 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $26,416. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $49,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,416 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #25 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in urban studies/affairs:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
