2026 Best Value Urban Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value urban studies schools.
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2026 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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for urban studies in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for urban studies. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,201 to complete the urban studies program here. 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%.
California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $13,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #4. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #6 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $18,965. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $47,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #7 spot for urban studies value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the urban studies program here. Urban Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $34,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Francisco State University earned the #8 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $50,008. Set against $18,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #9 spot for urban studies value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $46,712. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #10 for value in urban studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $36,850 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $45,870. Set against $36,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #11 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,444 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $58,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #12 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Wayne State University came in at #13 for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,205 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $43,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #14 for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $20,550. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $27,966. That is a strong return on a $20,550 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany landed the #15 spot for urban studies value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $23,521. Urban Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Cleveland State University came in at #16 for value in urban studies this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $32,083 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $38,929 early in their careers. Set against $32,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #17 for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $21,275. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #19 for value in urban studies this year. 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 program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $33,626. That is a strong return on a $26,416 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
University At Buffalo landed the #20 spot for urban studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
College Of Charleston landed the #21 spot for urban studies value this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $24,733 in student loans. Urban Studies graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,733 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut earned the #22 position for value in urban studies this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $23,000. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $34,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #23 for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $44,263. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Brown University earned the #24 position for value in urban studies this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the urban studies program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $48,731. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #25 among the best values for urban studies. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. 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. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Urban Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in urban studies:
Other Urban Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Urban Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Urban Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 123 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.
