Urban Studies/Affairs programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best urban studies/affairs schools.
Where you study urban studies/affairs matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Urban Studies/Affairs Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Urban Studies/Affairs Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University the best school in the country for a degree in urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 23 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 10 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for San Jose State University
Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $95,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at Harvard University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $58,171 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,444 in student loans.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong urban studies/affairs program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies/affairs details for Stanford University
University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at University Of Pennsylvania
Brown University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brown University awarded about 12 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $48,731 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies/affairs details for Brown University
University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $53,546 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from University Of Georgia
University Of Southern California landed the #9 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 21 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for University Of Southern California
New York University came in at #10 for urban studies/affairs this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 24 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at New York University
University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 54 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $34,385 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full urban studies/affairs details for University Of California Irvine
Barnard College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. About 24 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from Barnard College earn around $40,294 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Get the full urban studies/affairs details for Barnard College
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #13 for urban studies/affairs this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #14 for 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. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 22 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies/affairs details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Tufts University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Tufts University awarded about 22 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $64,224 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from Tufts University
University Of California San Diego placed #16 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 59 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $37,074 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at University Of California San Diego
San Diego State University placed #17 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for San Diego State University
California State University Northridge came in at #18 for urban studies/affairs this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 18 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $46,826. Students borrow a median of $13,612 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at California State University Northridge
Fordham University placed #19 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for Fordham University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #20 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 28 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $27,966 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete this degree.
Get the full urban studies/affairs details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Cuny Hunter College came in at #21 for urban studies/affairs this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 77 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $72,012. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at Cuny Hunter College
San Francisco State University placed #22 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 12 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from San Francisco State University earn around $50,008 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for San Francisco State University
Northeastern University placed #23 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at Northeastern University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #24 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. This large public university is located in the city of New York. About 66 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
University At Buffalo placed #25 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. University At Buffalo awarded about 11 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at University At Buffalo
Rest of the Top 38 Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong urban studies/affairs education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 38 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).
