2026 Best Urban Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Urban Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools to find the best for urban studies students.
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Best Schools for Urban Studies in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall urban studies education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Urban Studies
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best urban studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 26 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #2 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the top schools for urban studies. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $49,570 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in urban studies from Virginia Commonwealth University
College Of Charleston is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Charleston. College Of Charleston graduates 66% of students within six years. College Of Charleston awarded about 17 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Typical student debt for the program is $24,733.
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Georgia State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 24 urban studies degrees were awarded at Georgia State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $52,589. Georgia State University graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong urban studies program will find one at Norfolk State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Norfolk State University awarded about 10 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Norfolk State University earn around $54,971 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in urban studies from Norfolk State University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 17 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.
