2027 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Urban Studies/Affairs](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/urban-studies-affairs/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong urban studies/affairs education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for urban studies/affairs students.
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2027 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban studies/affairs degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
For return on investment in urban studies/affairs, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. 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/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $72,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies/affairs, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,201 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $52,912. Set against $12,201 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies/affairs will find it at University At Buffalo, which ranked #3. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies/affairs, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College came in at #6 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $40,294 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #7 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $36,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Students from in state pay about $65,920 in tuition and fees. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $35,668. That is a strong return on a $23,069 median debt. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
New York University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $21,897. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Fordham University came in at #10 for value in urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $59,403. That is a strong return on a $25,643 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
