[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong urban studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban studies students.
Finding the Best Value Urban Studies School for You
The right urban studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Urban Studies 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Urban Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among urban studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $72,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $13,612. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $46,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $12,201. Urban Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $52,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,201 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Washington Tacoma Campus one of the best values for urban studies. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $47,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for value in urban studies this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $37,074 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #7 for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $14,444. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $58,171. That is a strong return on a $14,444 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #8 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $36,850 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $45,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,850 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #9 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $18,600. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $50,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #10 among the best values for urban studies. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $10,492. Urban Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #11 for value in urban studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #12 among the best values for urban studies. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $46,712. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #13 among the best values for urban studies. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $34,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $25,205 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $43,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
San Diego State University earned the #15 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #16 among the best values for urban studies. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $20,550 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $27,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Harvard University landed the #17 spot for urban studies value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $32,083 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $38,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Norfolk State University landed the #19 spot for urban studies value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Georgia State University placed #20 among the best values for urban studies. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $26,091. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $52,589. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #21 for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #22 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $23,258. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo earned the #23 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #24 spot for urban studies value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $26,416. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $49,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #25 for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Urban Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in urban studies:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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).
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong urban studies education at a price that pays off.
