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