2026 Best Value Urban Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Urban Studies Schools
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot for value among urban studies schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,612 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $46,826. That is a strong return on a $13,612 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned it the #2 place for urban studies. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $18,965. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $47,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $37,074. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for urban studies. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $46,712. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #5 place for urban studies. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $10,492. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #6 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $34,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #7 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $50,008. That is a strong return on a $18,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Portland State University earned the #8 position for value in urban studies 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. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $36,850. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $45,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Jose State University landed the #9 spot for urban studies value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #10 position for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,444 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $58,171. Set against $14,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #11 position for value in urban studies this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Southern California landed the #12 spot for urban studies value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Narrow Urban Studies Schools by State
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
