2026 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in New York
[Urban Studies/Affairs](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/urban-studies-affairs/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong urban studies/affairs education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for urban studies/affairs students.
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2026 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in urban studies/affairs, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among urban studies/affairs schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $72,012. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #2 place for urban studies/affairs. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Suny At Albany is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies/affairs, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. 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/affairs graduates is $23,521. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value urban studies/affairs 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $23,258. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #5 makes University At Buffalo one of the best values for urban studies/affairs. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
New York University earned the #6 position for value in urban studies/affairs this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $21,897. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Barnard College placed #7 among the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $19,000. 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. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University landed the #8 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
More Urban Studies/Affairs Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 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.
