Urban Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for urban studies students pursuing a degree.
Where you study urban studies matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Urban Studies Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Urban Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Urban Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Urban Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the urban studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in urban studies. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 23 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $60,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Students looking for a strong urban studies program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 10 urban studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full urban studies program report for San Jose State University
Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies, ranking #3. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
More information about a degree in urban studies from Harvard University
Students looking for a strong urban studies program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 36 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $58,171. Typical student debt for the program is $14,444.
More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for urban studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 12 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $100,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies details for Stanford University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for urban studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 24 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Pennsylvania
Brown University placed #7 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 12 urban studies degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $48,731 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies program at Brown University
University Of Georgia came in at #8 for urban studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 11 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
Get the full urban studies details for University Of Georgia
University Of Southern California earned the #9 position for urban studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Southern California
New York University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 24 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies program at New York University
University Of California Irvine placed #11 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 54 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $34,385 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies program at University Of California Irvine
Barnard College earned the #12 position for urban studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $40,294 in their early career. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in urban studies from Barnard College
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #13 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 37 urban studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $57,819 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans.
Get the full urban studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #14 for urban studies this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 22 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Tufts University landed the #15 spot for urban studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 22 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Tufts University earn around $64,224 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
See the full urban studies program report for Tufts University
University Of California San Diego landed the #16 spot for urban studies this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 59 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $37,074 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies details for University Of California San Diego
San Diego State University came in at #17 for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 18 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies details for San Diego State University
California State University Northridge ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 18 urban studies degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $46,826. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $13,612 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies program at California State University Northridge
Fordham University came in at #19 for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Fordham University earn around $59,403 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies program report for Fordham University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #20 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $27,966 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,550.
Get the full urban studies details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Cuny Hunter College placed #21 among the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 77 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $72,012 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies program report for Cuny Hunter College
San Francisco State University placed #22 among the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. San Francisco State University awarded about 12 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,008. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans.
More information about a degree in urban studies from San Francisco State University
Northeastern University placed #23 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 11 urban studies degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans.
More information about a degree in urban studies from Northeastern University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #24 for urban studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. About 66 urban studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center
University At Buffalo landed the #25 spot for urban studies this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 11 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $52,403 in their early career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies program at University At Buffalo
Rest of the Top 38 Urban Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for urban studies this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 38 schools evaluated.
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).
