2026 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in urban studies/affairs, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies/affairs, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,201 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $62,828 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

3

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

Students looking for strong value in urban studies/affairs will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $76,569. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

4

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #4 makes Harvard University one of the best values for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

5

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norfolk State University earned it the #5 place for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

6

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University placed #6 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $52,589. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.

7

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University placed #7 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,083 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

8

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $65,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

9

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #9 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $17,921. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $72,222. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

10

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #10 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $23,393. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.

11

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

12

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #12 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.

13

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University landed the #13 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

14

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #14 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $17,074. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $64,224 early in their careers. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.