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2026 Best Urban & Regional Planning Master’s Degree Schools

34 Colleges in the United States
1,273 Urban & Regional Planning Degrees Awarded
$56,917 Avg Early-Career Salary

Urban & Regional Planning programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 146 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best urban & regional planning schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Urban & Regional Planning in the United States

Below are the best urban & regional planning schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Urban & Regional Planning

1

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in urban & regional planning. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 70 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $81,382. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

2

San Jose State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best urban & regional planning schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 35 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at San Jose State University

3
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban & regional planning, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $71,369 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from New York University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for urban & regional planning. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 81 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $69,357 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from University Of California Los Angeles

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for urban & regional planning. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from University Of Southern California earn around $63,583 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from University Of Southern California

6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot for urban & regional planning this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 69 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $67,566 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,736 in student loans. Get the full urban & regional planning details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

7

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #7 among the best urban & regional planning schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 33 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $61,042 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

8

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best urban & regional planning schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 58 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $72,127 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from Columbia University In The City Of New York

9

University Of California Irvine came in at #9 for urban & regional planning this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $66,092 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree. See the full urban & regional planning program report for University Of California Irvine

10

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #10 position for urban & regional planning this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 38 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $67,972 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree. Get the full urban & regional planning details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #11 for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $70,849 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $15,292 in student loans. Get the full urban & regional planning details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

University Of Georgia earned the #12 position for urban & regional planning this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Get the full urban & regional planning details for University Of Georgia

13

San Diego State University came in at #13 for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 12 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $51,162 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at San Diego State University

14

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #14 position for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 30 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $64,191 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Get the full urban & regional planning details for The University Of Texas At Austin

15

George Washington University came in at #15 for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. George Washington University awarded about 11 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $73,749 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from George Washington University

16
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #16 among the best urban & regional planning schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 41 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $69,502 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at University Of Florida

17

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #17 for urban & regional planning this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Get the full urban & regional planning details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

18

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot for urban & regional planning this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 18 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $50,580 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at Texas A And M University College Station

19

University Of Central Florida earned the #19 position for urban & regional planning this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $51,790 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from University Of Central Florida

20

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #20 spot for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 44 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $65,697 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree. Get the full urban & regional planning details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

21
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best urban & regional planning schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 19 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $60,806 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at Boston University

22

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #22 position for urban & regional planning this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $63,944. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

23

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #23 spot for urban & regional planning this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 27 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $58,018 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from University Of Virginia Main Campus

24
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #24 for urban & regional planning this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 10 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from Suny At Albany

25
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #25 for urban & regional planning this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 28 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $63,579. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at Georgetown University

Rest of the Top 48 Urban & Regional Planning Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong urban & regional planning education:

26
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
34
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
35
36
37
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48

Other Urban & Regional Planning Degree Levels

Explore the best urban & regional planning schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Urban & Regional Planning
Associate's Degrees in Urban & Regional Planning
Bachelor's Degrees in Urban & Regional Planning
View All Urban & Regional Planning Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 146 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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