2027 Best Urban Studies Schools in New York
Urban Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their urban studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for urban studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Urban Studies in New York
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.
Top Schools in Urban Studies
New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in urban studies. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 24 urban studies degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $64,516 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
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A rank of #2 makes Barnard College one of the top schools for urban studies. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. About 24 urban studies degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent 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
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish 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. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
More information about a degree in urban studies from Columbia University In The City Of New York
Fordham University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies, ranking #4. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 urban studies degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Fordham University earn around $59,403 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,643.
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Cuny Hunter College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 77 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $72,012. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree.
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Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies schools. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 66 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $72,222 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
University At Buffalo landed the #7 spot for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies program at University At Buffalo
Cuny Queens College placed #8 among the best urban studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $52,912 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,201 to complete this degree.
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More Urban Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 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.