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. The highest-paying schools turn a urban studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying urban studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose urban studies graduates go on to earn the most.
New York University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid urban studies graduates in the Middle Atlantic Region. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from New York University typically earn about $80,330 annually.
University Of Pennsylvania produces some of the highest-paid graduates in urban studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $72,949 a year early in their careers.
Fordham University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in urban studies, landing the #3 spot this year. 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Barnard College earned it the #4 place for urban studies. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,859.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying urban studies schools. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,189.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #6 spot for urban studies salaries this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students who complete the urban studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,189.
Cuny Queens College came in at #7 for urban studies graduate earnings this year. Cuny Queens College is a public school located in the city of Queens. After graduating, urban studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College typically earn about $60,656 annually.
Vassar College earned the #8 position for urban studies graduate earnings this year. Vassar College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Urban Studies graduates of Vassar College earn a median of about $39,410 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #9 position for urban studies graduate earnings this year. 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.
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 · 9 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.