by our College Data Analytics Team
[Urban Studies/Affairs](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/urban-studies-affairs/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 17 schools to find the best return on investment for urban studies/affairs students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban studies/affairs degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Norfolk State University, our #1 best value for urban studies/affairs in the Southeast Region. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia State University earned it the #2 place for urban studies/affairs. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $52,589. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies/affairs will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. 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 $49,570. That is a strong return on a $26,416 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the best values for urban studies/affairs. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
College Of Charleston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban studies/affairs, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies/affairs graduates is $24,733. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.