2027 Best Value Urban Studies Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for urban studies students.
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2027 Best Value Urban Studies Schools in New York
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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among urban studies schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $72,012. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $52,912. That is a strong return on a $12,201 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia University In The City Of New York earned it the #4 place for urban studies. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Barnard College one of the best values for urban studies. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
New York University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $21,897. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University placed #7 among the best values for urban studies. 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. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $25,643. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
More Urban Studies Rankings
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
