2027 Best Value Urban Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value urban studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Urban Studies Schools in the United States
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in urban studies in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $12,201 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $62,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Urban Studies graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia State University earned it the #5 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $26,091. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $52,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #6 for value in urban studies this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $72,222. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #7 for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $65,514 early in their careers. Set against $26,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University placed #8 among the best values for urban studies. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Tufts University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $64,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Other Urban Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value urban studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Urban Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
