2027 Best Value Urban Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban studies students.
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2027 Best Value Urban Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in urban studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Urban Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in urban studies in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $72,012. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #2. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $12,201 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $42,995. That is a strong return on a $12,201 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for urban studies. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $13,612. Urban Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $46,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $47,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of California San Diego came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $37,074 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #6 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $14,444 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $58,171. Set against $14,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $36,850 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $45,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Francisco State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $18,600. Urban Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stanford University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #10 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $46,712 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #11 among the best values for urban studies. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $34,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #12 position for value in urban studies this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $25,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $43,811. Set against $25,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #13 among the best values for urban studies. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #14 position for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $27,966. Set against $20,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cleveland State University came in at #15 for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $32,083. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $38,929. Set against $32,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #16 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #17 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #18 position for value in urban studies this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #19 among the best values for urban studies. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $26,416 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $33,626 early in their careers. Set against $26,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Brown University placed #20 among the best values for urban studies. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $14,000. Urban Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $48,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Connecticut earned the #21 position for value in urban studies this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $34,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #22 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Barnard College landed the #23 spot for urban studies value this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $40,294. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College placed #24 among the best values for urban studies. Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $40,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $24,958. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $36,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Urban Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for urban studies this year:
Other Urban Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value urban studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Urban Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
