by our College Data Analytics Team
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in urban studies in the New England Region. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies will find it at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $34,074 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
A rank of #3 makes Brown University one of the best values for urban studies. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $48,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Tufts University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $64,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.