2026 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools
[Urban Education & Leadership](/majors/education/educational-administration/urban-education-and-leadership/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value urban education & leadership schools.
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Finding the Best Value Urban Education & Leadership School for You
The urban education & leadership program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Urban Education & Leadership 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
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Urban Education & Leadership 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.
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2026 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in urban education & leadership, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools
For return on investment in urban education & leadership, no school beat University Of Nevada Las Vegas this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $69,469. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for urban education & leadership. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $19,349. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $61,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Kean University one of the best values for urban education & leadership. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $79,188. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in urban education & leadership will find it at New Jersey City University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $22,107. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $67,503. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $82,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #7 among the best values for urban education & leadership. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot for urban education & leadership value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #9 spot for urban education & leadership value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $67,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #10 for value in urban education & leadership this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $48,890. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #11 for value in urban education & leadership this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $25,000. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $75,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #12 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $55,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #13 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University came in at #14 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $62,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #15 among the best values for urban education & leadership. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $39,662. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $48,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University came in at #16 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $26,632. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $48,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,251 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #18 among the best values for urban education & leadership. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $79,426 early in their careers. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #19 position for value in urban education & leadership this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $78,283. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #20 position for value in urban education & leadership this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $81,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Michigan State University placed #22 among the best values for urban education & leadership. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #23 position for value in urban education & leadership this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $60,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Columbia International University came in at #24 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $21,667 in student loans. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $32,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,667 median debt. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
Rockford College landed the #25 spot for urban education & leadership value this year. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Students from in state pay about $37,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $73,751. Set against $28,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in urban education & leadership:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Urban Education & Leadership. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
