2027 Best Urban Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Urban Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their urban studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for urban studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Urban Studies in the United States
These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in urban studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Urban Studies
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in urban studies. 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. About 36 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $58,171. Students borrow a median of $14,444 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies program report for University Of California Berkeley
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 12 urban studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
Read more about the urban studies program at Stanford University
University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. 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. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
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Brown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. There were roughly 12 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $48,731 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
See the full urban studies program report for Brown University
A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for urban studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Southern California
New York University landed the #6 spot for urban studies this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $64,516 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897.
Read more about the urban studies program at New York University
University Of California Irvine placed #7 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 54 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $34,385 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies program at University Of California Irvine
Barnard College placed #8 among the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 24 urban studies degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $40,294. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
See the full urban studies program report for Barnard College
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #9 spot for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 33 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $57,819 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #10 spot 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. There were roughly 22 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $86,770 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of California San Diego earned the #11 position for urban studies this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 59 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $37,074 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of California San Diego
San Diego State University landed the #12 spot for urban studies this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 18 urban studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Urban Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies program at San Diego State University
California State University Northridge placed #13 among the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 urban studies degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from California State University Northridge earn around $46,826 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $13,612 in student loans.
More information about a degree in urban studies from California State University Northridge
Fordham University landed the #14 spot for urban studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 14 urban studies degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies program at Fordham University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #15 among the best urban studies schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $27,966. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Cuny Hunter College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 urban studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $72,012 in their early career. 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 ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. San Francisco State University awarded about 12 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $50,008 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies program report for San Francisco State University
University At Buffalo landed the #18 spot for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. University At Buffalo awarded about 11 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $52,403 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232.
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Cuny Queens College came in at #19 for urban studies this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 18 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $42,995. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $12,201 in student loans.
See the full urban studies program report for Cuny Queens College
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #20 spot for urban studies this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $47,585. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans.
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University Of Connecticut came in at #21 for urban studies this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Connecticut awarded about 12 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $34,074. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
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Rhodes College earned the #22 position for urban studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Rhodes College in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $40,807 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,078.
Read more about the urban studies program at Rhodes College
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #23 position for urban studies this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 12 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $36,099 in their early career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans.
See the full urban studies program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Bryn Mawr College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. Bryn Mawr College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Bryn Mawr College graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans.
Get the full urban studies details for Bryn Mawr College
Portland State University came in at #25 for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Portland State University earn around $45,870 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $36,850.
Read more about the urban studies program at Portland State University
Rest of the Top 29 Urban Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for urban studies this year:
Other Urban Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best urban studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Urban Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 29 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.