by our College Data Analytics Team
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a urban studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the early-career earnings of their urban studies graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send urban studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is New York University, our #1 for urban studies graduate salaries in the United States. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career urban studies graduates from New York University make a median of around $80,330 per year.
University Of California Berkeley produces some of the highest-paid graduates in urban studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $105,067 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for urban studies. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $72,949 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Fordham University one of the highest-paying schools for urban studies. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Urban Studies graduates of Fordham University earn a median of about $71,957 a year early in their careers.
Minnesota State University Mankato produces some of the highest-paid graduates in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato typically earn about $59,836 annually.
California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for urban studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Early-career urban studies graduates from California State University Northridge make a median of around $70,696 per year.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying urban studies schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,334.
Barnard College came in at #8 for urban studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from Barnard College typically earn about $75,859 annually.
San Francisco State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for urban studies. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University typically earn about $57,943 annually.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #10 spot for urban studies salaries this year. Rutgers University Camden is a public school located in the city of Camden. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,189.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #11 spot for urban studies salaries this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Early-career urban studies graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick make a median of around $61,189 per year.
University Of California San Diego earned the #12 position for urban studies graduate earnings this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,507.
Wayne State University landed the #13 spot for urban studies salaries this year. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. Urban Studies graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of about $60,709 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Queens College placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for urban studies. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College typically earn about $60,656 annually.
Brown University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying urban studies schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Urban Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of about $48,731 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for urban studies. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of about $46,712 a year early in their careers.
Portland State University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for urban studies. Portland State University is a public school located in the city of Portland. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from Portland State University typically earn about $45,870 annually.
University Of California Irvine earned the #18 position for urban studies graduate earnings this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Urban Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $62,232 a year early in their careers.
University Of Connecticut came in at #19 for urban studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of about $57,591 a year early in their careers.
Cleveland State University came in at #20 for urban studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Urban Studies graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of about $48,869 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying urban studies schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school located in the city of Richmond. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $52,091 annually.
Vassar College came in at #22 for urban studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career urban studies graduates from Vassar College make a median of around $39,410 per year.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #23 for urban studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities typically earn about $55,775 annually.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for urban studies. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,099.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Urban Studies rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their urban studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 24 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.