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2026 Best Urban Education & Leadership Master’s Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
483 Urban Education & Leadership Degrees Awarded
$71,956 Avg Early-Career Salary

Urban Education & Leadership programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their urban education & leadership programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for urban education & leadership students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Urban Education & Leadership in the United States

See the highest-ranked urban education & leadership schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in Urban Education & Leadership

1

Loyola Marymount University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in urban education & leadership. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 117 urban education & leadership degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $70,116 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at Loyola Marymount University

2

Southern Methodist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban education & leadership, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $74,035 early in their careers. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at Southern Methodist University

3

Students looking for a strong urban education & leadership program will find one at The College Of New Jersey, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. The College Of New Jersey awarded about 15 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $70,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,997 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at The College Of New Jersey

4

A rank of #4 makes Pepperdine University one of the top schools for urban education & leadership. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. Pepperdine University awarded about 21 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $64,280. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from Pepperdine University

5
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $59,445. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from Vanderbilt University

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #6 position for urban education & leadership this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 20 urban education & leadership degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,834. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. See the full urban education & leadership program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

7
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #7 spot for urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Temple University earn a median of $62,647 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at Temple University

8
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University came in at #8 for urban education & leadership this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 18 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $75,539 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree. See the full urban education & leadership program report for Brown University

9
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco landed the #9 spot for urban education & leadership this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 14 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from University Of San Francisco

10

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 18 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $60,665 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,673. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

11

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 10 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $82,842. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from Northeastern Illinois University

12

University Of Colorado Denver came in at #12 for urban education & leadership this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Denver in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $79,733 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,582. Get the full urban education & leadership details for University Of Colorado Denver

13

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #13 for urban education & leadership this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates 50% of students within six years. About 25 urban education & leadership degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $69,469. Typical student debt for the program is $21,181. See the full urban education & leadership program report for University Of Nevada Las Vegas

14

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #14 position for urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 11 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $131,211 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

15

New Jersey City University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. New Jersey City University awarded about 35 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from New Jersey City University earn around $67,503 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,107. See the full urban education & leadership program report for New Jersey City University

16
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College placed #16 among the best urban education & leadership schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Rockford College graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Rockford College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $73,751. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete this degree. See the full urban education & leadership program report for Rockford College

17

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #17 among the best urban education & leadership schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $56,983 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $39,662. See the full urban education & leadership program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Other Urban Education & Leadership Degree Levels

Explore the best urban education & leadership schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Urban Education & Leadership
Associate's Degrees in Urban Education & Leadership
Bachelor's Degrees in Urban Education & Leadership
View All Urban Education & Leadership Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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