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2023 Best Value Colleges for Urban Studies (Income $30-$48k)

78 Ranked Colleges
1,507 Degrees Awarded
$8,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Urban Studies is the 209th most popular major in the country with 1,507 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, urban studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,193 and had an average of $21,495 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 78 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in urban studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great urban studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the urban studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Urban Studies Schools

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The urban studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Urban Studies (Income $30-$48k)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 12 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also took the #2 spot in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $1,581 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Urban Studies at Stanford University

2
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Pennsylvania is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 32 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn also took the #1 spot in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $1,938 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UPenn.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Urban Studies at University of Pennsylvania

3
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Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tufts University landed the #3 spot on the list. Medford, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s urban studies degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

Tufts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Urban Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Tufts University is $7,987 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Tufts Urban Studies Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s urban studies degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,699 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Columbia.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Urban Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York

5
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brown University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s urban studies degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

Brown also took the #8 spot in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $2,842 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Brown University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Urban Studies at Brown

6
Hunter crest
Hunter College
New York, New York

Hunter College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hunter College is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Hunter College is $2,135 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Urban Studies at Hunter College

7
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Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania

Haverford College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Haverford, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s urban studies degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Haverford, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Haverford College is $9,272 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Haverford College Urban Studies Report

8

Washington University in St Louis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s urban studies students in 2020-2021.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Urban Studies Schools” list. It costs about $2,446 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WUSTL.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Urban Studies at Washington University in St Louis

9
Vassar crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Vassar College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Poughkeepsie, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s urban studies degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

Vassar did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Urban Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Vassar College is $13,193 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Vassar Urban Studies Report

10
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Queens College
Queens, New York

Queens College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Queens College is a public institution located in Queens, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Queens College is $3,524 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Urban Studies at QC

11
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Barnard College
New York, New York

Barnard College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Barnard is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s urban studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Barnard has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Barnard is $15,090 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Barnard College Urban Studies Report

12

University of California - Berkeley came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s urban studies degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley also took the #7 spot in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $9,999 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Urban Studies Report

13

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Urban Studies Schools” list. It costs about $8,609 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Urban Studies at UMN Twin Cities

14

University of California - San Diego landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s urban studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSD has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $11,176 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Urban Studies at University of California - San Diego

15
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Trinity College
Hartford, Connecticut

Trinity College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Hartford, Connecticut, and it awarded 17 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Trinity Bantams did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Urban Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Trinity Bantams is $8,608 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Urban Studies at Trinity College

16

University of California - Irvine came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Urban Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Urban Studies at University of California - Irvine

17
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 102 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Urban Studies Schools” list. It costs about $17,345 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern California.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full USC Urban Studies Report

18

With a ranking of #18, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 27 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Urban Studies at CSUN

19
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 14 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Urban Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,003 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Urban Studies at Virginia Tech

20

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMCP is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 15 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UMCP also took the #20 spot in our “Best Urban Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMCP is $11,567 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Maryland - College Park Urban Studies Report

21
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 12 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,274 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Urban Studies at SDSU

22

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 2 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $8,697 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Urban Studies at UMN Duluth

23
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #23, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 31 ’s urban studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $11,862 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Urban Studies at SFSU

24

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $12,263 for urban studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Urban Studies at Minnesota State Mankato

25
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Urban Studies Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boston University is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s urban studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Boston University is $11,782 for Urban Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Urban Studies at Boston University

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