2026 Best Value Urban Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Urban Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in urban studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $72,012. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for urban studies. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $12,201 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $52,912. That is a strong return on a $12,201 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $20,836. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $76,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Albany earned it the #4 place for urban studies. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #5. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #6 for value in urban studies this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $44,263. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 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.
New York University placed #9 among the best values for urban studies. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Barnard College landed the #10 spot for urban studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $40,294. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,920. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $23,069. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $35,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
Fordham University earned the #12 position for value in urban studies this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $25,643. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $59,403. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
Narrow Urban Studies Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong urban studies education at a price that pays off.
