2027 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Master’s Degree Schools

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban studies/affairs students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in urban studies/affairs, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies/affairs will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #2. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $12,201. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $62,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies/affairs, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Norfolk State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Georgia State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $26,091. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $52,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $17,921. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $72,222. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #7 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $65,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,416 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Northeastern University placed #8 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $25,611. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University came in at #9 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $64,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
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), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.