2027 Best Value Urban Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban studies students.
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2027 Best Value Urban Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in urban studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Urban Studies Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $72,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,201 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $52,912. Set against $12,201 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies will find it at University At Buffalo, which ranked #3. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #4 spot 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for urban studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Barnard College landed the #6 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $40,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #7 spot for urban studies value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $24,958. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $36,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Bryn Mawr College earned the #8 position for value in urban studies this year. Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. In-state tuition and fees average $65,920. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,069 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
New York University earned the #9 position for value in urban studies this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Fordham University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 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.
