2026 Best Urban And Regional Planning Schools
Looking for the best Urban And Regional Planning programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 146 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Urban And Regional Planning Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Massachusetts Institute Of Technology to be the best Urban And Regional Planning school in the United States. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $13,516. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Georgetown University came in at #2 on this year's Urban And Regional Planning ranking in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $16,483. See the full Georgetown University profile
Out of the 146 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #3 spot. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Graduates carry a median of $18,167 in student loans. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
A rank of #4 makes Yale University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. More on Yale University
You'll be in good company at Harvard University, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Harvard University Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Get the full Harvard University report
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $14,238. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
New York University placed #7 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Read more about New York University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $24,323. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile
University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Miami ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Urban And Regional Planning schools. Located in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $17,750. More on University Of Miami
University Of Southern California placed #11 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $15,625. More on University Of Southern California
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #12 in this year's ranking. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school based in Pomona, CA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $15,292 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. More on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Auburn University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Urban And Regional Planning schools. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Get the full Auburn University report
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #14 in this year's ranking. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $16,097. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Urban And Regional Planning schools. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $23,258. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of North Texas landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Denton, TX. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $21,817. More on University Of North Texas
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. New Jersey Institute Of Technology Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $24,755 in debt. More on New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Cornell University placed #20 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $14,275. See the full Cornell University profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $22,386. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $21,275. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,736 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #24 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Miami University Oxford came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Oxford, OH. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Miami University Oxford Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $25,237 in debt. More on Miami University Oxford
Rest of the Top 50 Best Urban And Regional Planning Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of California Davis landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $14,404. See the full University Of California Davis profile
University Of Georgia landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Athens, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $21,792. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #28 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #29 position. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $19,137. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #30 position. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Urban And Regional Planning schools. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $24,673. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Ball State University placed #32 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Ball State University is a public school based in Muncie, IN. Ball State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Ball State University Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $24,518 in debt. More on Ball State University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa did well this year, earning the #33 position. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. About 64% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $20,577. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
The University Of Texas At Arlington did well this year, earning the #34 position. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Urban And Regional Planning schools. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. University Of Massachusetts Amherst Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $25,234 in debt. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of California Irvine placed #36 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $16,539. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $21,577. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Arizona State University Skysong did well this year, earning the #38 position. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $27,009. Get the full Arizona State University Skysong report
University Of Kansas ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Urban And Regional Planning schools. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Iowa State University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Urban And Regional Planning schools. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $27,000. See the full Iowa State University profile
University Of Rhode Island did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $23,432. See the full University Of Rhode Island profile
Pratt Institute Main placed #42 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Pratt Institute Main is a private not-for-profit institution. Pratt Institute Main graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,845. Graduates carry a median of $25,103 in student loans. More on Pratt Institute Main
University Of Colorado Denver placed #43 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. University Of Colorado Denver is a public school based in Denver, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Denver
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $21,000. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
University Of South Florida Main Campus did well this year, earning the #45 position. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school based in Tampa, FL. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $21,829. More on University Of South Florida Main Campus
Clemson University placed #46 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $23,783. Get the full Clemson University report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus did well this year, earning the #47 position. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $25,464. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
Prairie View A And M University did well this year, earning the #48 position. This public school is set in Prairie View, TX. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $29,824. Read the full report on Prairie View A And M University
Texas Tech University placed #49 among Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $24,271. Read more about Texas Tech University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #50 position. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $26,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
Best Urban And Regional Planning Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Urban And Regional Planning Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban And Regional Planning Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban And Regional Planning Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Urban And Regional Planning Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Urban And Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban And Regional Planning Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 146 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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