2027 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in the Southeast Region

[Urban Studies/Affairs](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/urban-studies-affairs/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban studies/affairs students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Urban Studies/Affairs Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Georgia the best value for a degree in urban studies/affairs in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Norfolk State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Georgia State University one of the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $52,589 early in their careers. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value urban studies/affairs schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Urban Studies/affairs graduates carry a median of $26,416 in student loans. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $49,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,416 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the best values for urban studies/affairs. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $60,004. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Rhodes College landed the #6 spot for urban studies/affairs value this year. Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete the urban studies/affairs program here. Early-career urban studies/affairs graduates make about $40,807. That is a strong return on a $23,078 median debt. Rhodes College admits about 50% of applicants.
Narrow Urban Studies/Affairs Schools by State
More Urban Studies/Affairs Rankings
View All Urban Studies/Affairs Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.