Urban & Regional Planning programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best urban & regional planning schools.
The urban & regional planning program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Urban & Regional Planning Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Urban & Regional Planning School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Urban & Regional Planning Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Urban & Regional Planning Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Best Schools for Urban & Regional Planning in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the urban & regional planning degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2027 ranking of the best urban & regional planning schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 10 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from University Of Pennsylvania
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban & regional planning, ranking #2. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 90 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $81,382 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete this degree.
See the full urban & regional planning program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Students looking for a strong urban & regional planning program will find one at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 21 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at University Of Maryland College Park
Students looking for a strong urban & regional planning program will find one at New York University, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 35 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from New York University generally make around $71,369. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at New York University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best urban & regional planning schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 54 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $47,832 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,167.
See the full urban & regional planning program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Southern California placed #6 among the best urban & regional planning schools. 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 50 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $63,583 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
See the full urban & regional planning program report for University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #7 for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 63 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $69,357. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at University Of California Los Angeles
San Jose State University came in at #8 for urban & regional planning this year. 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 17 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full urban & regional planning program report for San Jose State University
Yale University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best urban & regional planning schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at Yale University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #10 for urban & regional planning this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 22 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $67,972 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Texas Tech University landed the #11 spot for urban & regional planning this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 17 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from Texas Tech University earn around $50,332 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans.
See the full urban & regional planning program report for Texas Tech University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #12 on our 2027 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. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 49 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $72,127. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #13 position for urban & regional planning this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 87 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $50,580. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Florida landed the #14 spot for urban & regional planning this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from University Of Florida earn around $69,502 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at University Of Florida
University Of California Irvine placed #15 among the best urban & regional planning schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 28 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $66,092 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans.
See the full urban & regional planning program report for University Of California Irvine
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #16 for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 98 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $53,601 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,736 in student loans.
See the full urban & regional planning program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #17 spot for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 63 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $58,405. Students borrow a median of $15,292 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
George Washington University landed the #18 spot for urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at George Washington University
Cornell University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best urban & regional planning schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 36 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from Cornell University earn around $50,877 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,275.
More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from Cornell University
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #20 spot 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 University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $64,191 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
See the full urban & regional planning program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best urban & regional planning schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 20 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $61,042. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393.
Get the full urban & regional planning details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #22 spot for urban & regional planning this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 59 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban & regional planning program make about $58,018 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #23 for urban & regional planning this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $65,697 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117.
Get the full urban & regional planning details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
California State University Northridge ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best urban & regional planning schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 13 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at California State University Northridge
University Of North Texas placed #25 among the best urban & regional planning schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 24 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from University Of North Texas earn around $49,157 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans.
Read more about the urban & regional planning program at University Of North Texas
Rest of the Top 50 Urban & Regional Planning Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s urban & regional planning ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 59 schools evaluated.
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).
