2026 Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Urban And Regional Planning doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 146 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found University Of California Berkeley to be the best-value Urban And Regional Planning school in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. University Of California Berkeley alumni report median earnings of $92,446 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley has an acceptance rate of 11%. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $21,275 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $16,097. University Of California Los Angeles alumni report median earnings of $82,511 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
You'll get strong value at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $24,323 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,772. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values in the United States. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. University Of Maryland College Park alumni report median earnings of $82,860 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Cornell University placed #6 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $14,275. Median earnings reach $104,043 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants. Read more about Cornell University
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. Median earnings reach $143,372 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology report
Texas A And M University College Station placed #8 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. This public school is set in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%. More on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #9 among the best-value 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill has an acceptance rate of 15%. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $17,736. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,466. Set against $17,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. University Of California Irvine Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $16,539 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,735 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $25,464 in debt. Median earnings reach $54,810 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $16,155. University Of Pennsylvania alumni report median earnings of $111,371 a decade after entry. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Hawaii At Manoa offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $20,577. Median earnings reach $57,624 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Harvard University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $101,817 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University has an acceptance rate of 4%. See the full Harvard University profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. University Of Massachusetts Amherst Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $25,234 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #17 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Rutgers University New Brunswick Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $25,120 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Florida State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Florida State University Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $20,488 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,675. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Florida State University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,491. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Arizona State University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Arizona State University Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $27,009 in debt. Arizona State University alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,009 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $19,137. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor alumni report median earnings of $83,648 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Southern California offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $15,625. Median earnings reach $92,498 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,409. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
Roger Williams University placed #24 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Get the full Roger Williams University report
Boston University placed #25 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Read the full report on Boston University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Get the full Texas State University San Marcos report
Eastern Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about Eastern Michigan University
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #28 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Read more about The University Of Texas At San Antonio
University Of Florida came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Florida profile
Rowan University
Rowan University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Rowan University
University Of Arizona came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Arizona
San Jose State University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. More on San Jose State University
Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico Hato Rey Campus placed #33 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. More on Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico Hato Rey Campus
University Of Kentucky ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
University Of Rhode Island landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Rhode Island profile
Auburn University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read the full report on Auburn University
New Jersey Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Central Florida placed #38 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Central Florida report
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about University Of Kansas
University Of Miami came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Miami
Augusta University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. More on Augusta University
Indiana University Northwest landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Indiana University Northwest report
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte report
Westfield State University offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full Westfield State University report
Clemson University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read the full report on Clemson University
University Of New Orleans placed #46 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. More on University Of New Orleans
Villanova University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on Villanova University
University Of North Texas came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of North Texas
California State University Chico ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. More on California State University Chico
Plymouth State University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Plymouth State University
Related Urban And Regional Planning Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 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 · 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.