2026 Best Urban Studies/Affairs Master’s Degree Schools

1

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $60,004 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

2

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full urban studies/affairs program report for Harvard University

3

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

Students looking for a strong urban studies/affairs program will find one at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 18 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $76,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. Get the full urban studies/affairs details for University Of Maryland College Park

4

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies/affairs, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 13 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full urban studies/affairs program report for University Of Southern California

5

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies/affairs, ranking #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tufts University awarded about 22 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $64,224 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from Tufts University

6

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 17 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $72,222 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

7

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #7 position for urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 77 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $72,012 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091. More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from Cuny Hunter College

8

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University landed the #8 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 13 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies/affairs program report for Northeastern University

9

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #9 position for urban studies/affairs this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from Boston University

10

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College earned the #10 position for urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 14 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $62,828. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $12,201 in student loans. See the full urban studies/affairs program report for Cuny Queens College

11

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #11 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 18 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $65,514. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies/affairs details for Virginia Commonwealth University

12

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University landed the #12 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $52,589 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies/affairs details for Georgia State University

13

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University placed #13 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 10 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Cleveland State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from Cleveland State University earn around $38,929 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,083. Get the full urban studies/affairs details for Cleveland State University

14

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University came in at #14 for urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Norfolk State University graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Norfolk State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from Norfolk State University earn around $54,971 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full urban studies/affairs details for Norfolk State University