2027 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools
[Urban Education & Leadership](/majors/education/educational-administration/urban-education-and-leadership/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value urban education & leadership schools.
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Finding the Best Value Urban Education & Leadership School for You
The urban education & leadership program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban education & leadership degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools in the United States. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,834 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban education & leadership, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $69,469. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for urban education & leadership. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado Denver earned it the #4 place for urban education & leadership. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $81,405. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Kean University placed #6 among the best values for urban education & leadership. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $79,188. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #7 among the best values for urban education & leadership. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #8 position for value in urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $25,257. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for urban education & leadership. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $17,600. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $82,842. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University placed #10 among the best values for urban education & leadership. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $78,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #11 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $67,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #12 for value in urban education & leadership this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University came in at #13 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $78,553. Set against $25,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #14 position for value in urban education & leadership this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $39,662 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $48,310. Set against $39,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
New Jersey City University placed #15 among the best values for urban education & leadership. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $22,107. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $67,503. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Bridgewater State University earned the #16 position for value in urban education & leadership this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,632 in student loans. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $48,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #17 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $79,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #18 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University came in at #19 for value in urban education & leadership this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $30,822 in student loans. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Set against $30,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $45,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Delaware landed the #21 spot for urban education & leadership value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the urban education & leadership program here. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $75,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Davenport University earned the #22 position for value in urban education & leadership this year. Located in the suburb of Grand Rapids, Davenport University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,466 in tuition and fees. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $30,603 in student loans. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Davenport University earn a median of $55,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,603 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $22,859. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #24 position for value in urban education & leadership this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for urban education & leadership graduates is $13,426. Early-career urban education & leadership graduates make about $84,251. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Michigan State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value urban education & leadership schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Urban Education & Leadership graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $73,134 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Urban Education & Leadership Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s urban education & leadership value ranking:
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Urban Education & Leadership is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
