by our College Data Analytics Team
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying urban studies schools.
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 University Of California Berkeley, our #1 for urban studies graduate salaries in the Far Western Region. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $105,067 annually.
California State University Northridge produces some of the highest-paid graduates in urban studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $70,696 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in urban studies will find them at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. Early-career urban studies graduates from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus make a median of around $66,334 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at San Francisco State University earned it the #4 place for urban studies. San Francisco State University is a public school located in the city of San Francisco. Urban Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of about $57,943 a year early in their careers.
University Of California San Diego came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying urban studies schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego typically earn about $71,507 annually.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for urban studies. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas typically earn about $46,712 annually.
Portland State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for urban studies. Portland State University is a public school located in the city of Portland. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,870.
University Of California Irvine ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying urban studies schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,232.
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 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.