2026 Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Urban And Regional Planning graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 146 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on 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 evaluated schools to produce 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Texas Tech University this year in the United States. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $24,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,454 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
Out of the 146 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Roger Williams University landed the #2 spot. Located in Bristol, RI, Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,197 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,676 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $70,266. Set against $25,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on Roger Williams University
Out of the 146 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #3 spot. Based in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. The University Of Texas At Arlington Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $21,632 in debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington alumni report median earnings of $63,199 a decade after entry. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. More on The University Of Texas At Arlington
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values in the United States. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $17,669. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Florida
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #5 on this year's best-value Urban And Regional Planning ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $18,627. Median earnings reach $86,863 ten years out. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 17% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Harvard University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. Median earnings reach $101,817 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants. Read the full report on Harvard University
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $21,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,097 ten years after entry. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $111,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 5% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Miami landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Coral Gables, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $17,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,328 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Miami report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #10 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $25,464. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $54,810 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
University Of Rhode Island landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $23,432. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,743. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%. Read more about University Of Rhode Island
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,491. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $23,312. Median earnings reach $57,131 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. More on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Appalachian State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Get the full Appalachian State University report
Portland State University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Portland State University
Florida State University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Get the full Florida State University report
The University Of Texas At Austin offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of North Texas offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. See the full University Of North Texas profile
Westfield State University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Westfield State University profile
Western Michigan University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Western Michigan University
Yale University
Yale University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. More on Yale University
Clemson University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. More on Clemson University
Kent State University At Kent landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Southern Maine came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Southern Maine report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Urban And Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Central Florida placed #27 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. See the full University Of Central Florida profile
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Colorado Denver
Suny At Albany
Suny At Albany offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Suny At Albany
University Of Arizona placed #30 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #31 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Ball State University placed #32 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Read more about Ball State University
Georgetown University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Iowa State University came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Iowa State University
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on New Jersey Institute Of Technology
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
York College Pennsylvania ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. See the full York College Pennsylvania profile
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Cuny Bernard M Baruch College profile
Miami University Oxford offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Miami University Oxford report
Arizona State University placed #40 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. More on Arizona State University
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Saint Louis University Main Campus
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
Johns Hopkins University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of Toledo placed #44 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Toledo
The University Of Alabama came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
San Jose State University placed #46 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. More on San Jose State University
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #47 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. More on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Rutgers University Newark ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. See the full Rutgers University Newark profile
University At Buffalo placed #49 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. See the full University At Buffalo profile
University Of New Orleans offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on University Of New Orleans
Related Urban And Regional Planning Value Rankings
Explore 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral 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).
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