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Featured Urban Studies/Affairs Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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2026 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Leading the list is California State University Northridge, our #1 best value for urban studies/affairs in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $13,612 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $46,826. That is a strong return on a $13,612 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies/affairs will find it at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $47,585. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for urban studies/affairs. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $37,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies/affairs will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $46,712 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies/affairs, landing the #5 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. 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. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #6 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $34,385. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #7 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,008. That is a strong return on a $18,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Portland State University came in at #8 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,850 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $45,870. Set against $36,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #9 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,444 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $58,171. That is a strong return on a $14,444 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #11 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #12 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[Urban Studies/Affairs](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/urban-studies-affairs/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
