2026 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Urban Studies/Affairs](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/urban-studies-affairs/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value urban studies/affairs schools.
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2026 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban studies/affairs degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in urban studies/affairs in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $72,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $12,201. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $42,995 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,201 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $13,612 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $46,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies/affairs, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $10,492. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $37,074 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #6 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $47,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of California Irvine placed #7 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $34,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #8 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,008 early in their careers. Set against $18,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #9 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $46,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Portland State University came in at #10 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $36,850 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $45,870 early in their careers. Set against $36,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Berkeley placed #11 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $14,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $58,171. Set against $14,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Wayne State University came in at #13 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $25,205 in student loans. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $43,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,205 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #14 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $27,966 early in their careers. Set against $20,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny At Albany placed #15 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University placed #16 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $32,083. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $38,929. That is a strong return on a $32,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #17 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #18 position for value in urban studies/affairs 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #19 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $33,626. That is a strong return on a $26,416 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University At Buffalo ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
College Of Charleston came in at #21 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $24,733. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $34,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #23 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $27,000. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $44,263. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Brown University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $48,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $16,155. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s urban studies/affairs value ranking:
Other Urban Studies/Affairs Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Urban Studies/Affairs rankings across degree levels:
View All Urban Studies/Affairs Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
- 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.
