2026 Best Urban Studies Schools
Looking for the best Urban Studies programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 123 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, 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 Studies Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Cuny Graduate School And University Center to be the best Urban Studies school in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $17,921. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on this year's Urban Studies ranking in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
The strong Urban Studies programs at Stanford University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. The median Urban Studies program debt is $10,492. Get the full Stanford University report
The strong Urban Studies programs at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,444 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
You'll be in good company at Barnard College, which ranked #5 this year. Set in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. The median Urban Studies program debt is $19,000. More on Barnard College
Carnegie Mellon University placed #6 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school based in Medford, MA. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. The median Urban Studies program debt is $17,074. Read more about Tufts University
Haverford College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Set in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Get the full Haverford College report
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus did well this year, earning the #9 position. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public school based in Tacoma, WA. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. The median Urban Studies program debt is $18,965. Get the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus report
Trinity College placed #10 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $23,667. Read the full report on Trinity College
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $23,393. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #13 position. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. The median Urban Studies program debt is $17,553. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Urban Studies program here. More on University Of Southern California
University Of California San Diego ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. University Of California San Diego Urban Studies students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Urban Studies program here. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
New York University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. The median Urban Studies program debt is $21,897. Read more about New York University
Wheaton College Illinois placed #19 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $23,292. Get the full Wheaton College Illinois report
Trinity University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Antonio, TX. Trinity University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. Students borrow a median of $23,314 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read the full report on Trinity University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $20,550. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Furman University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set in Greenville, SC, Furman University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Read the full report on Furman University
San Jose State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University 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 $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. More on San Jose State University
University Of Georgia placed #24 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
Brown University did well this year, earning the #26 position. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. The median Urban Studies program debt is $14,000. Read more about Brown University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Urban Studies Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Vassar College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Vassar College is a private not-for-profit school based in Poughkeepsie, NY. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. Vassar College Urban Studies students take on a median of $18,486 in debt. Read the full report on Vassar College
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. This public school is set in Las Vegas, NV. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete their Urban Studies program here. See the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas profile
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Minnesota State University Mankato Urban Studies students take on a median of $25,260 in debt. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
Elmhurst College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Elmhurst, IL. Elmhurst College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. The median Urban Studies program debt is $22,400. Get the full Elmhurst College report
Loyola Marymount University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. The median Urban Studies program debt is $22,248. See the full Loyola Marymount University profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Urban Studies students take on a median of $26,657 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
Drexel University placed #33 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $28,838. Read more about Drexel University
Cuny Hunter College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Cuny Hunter College posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $11,091. More on Cuny Hunter College
University Of Utah placed #35 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Utah
San Francisco State University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. San Francisco State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
University Of Louisville landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. The median Urban Studies program debt is $21,910. Get the full University Of Louisville report
Albright College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Reading, PA, Albright College is a private not-for-profit institution. Albright College posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. The median Urban Studies program debt is $28,958. More on Albright College
University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $15,000. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
Xavier University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cincinnati, OH, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,425. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $26,614. Read the full report on Xavier University
Northeastern University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Northeastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Northeastern University Urban Studies students take on a median of $25,611 in debt. Read more about Northeastern University
University Of San Francisco placed #43 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. The median Urban Studies program debt is $23,935. See the full University Of San Francisco profile
Wright State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #44 position. Wright State University Main Campus is a public school based in Dayton, OH. About 42% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. The median Urban Studies program debt is $25,836. Get the full Wright State University Main Campus report
Rhodes College placed #45 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Based in Memphis, TN, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $57,110 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,078 in student loans. See the full Rhodes College profile
Arizona State University placed #46 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Read more about Arizona State University
Rutgers University Camden placed #47 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Based in Camden, NJ, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $27,000. More on Rutgers University Camden
Towson University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Based in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $21,241. Read the full report on Towson University
Saint Cloud State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Located in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $25,076. Get the full Saint Cloud State University report
Boston University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Get the full Boston University report
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #51 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Richmond, VA. About 63% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $26,416. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
Best Urban Studies Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Urban Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies 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 123 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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