2026 Best Urban Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Urban Studies bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 123 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than University Of Pennsylvania this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Stanford University came in at #2 on this year's Urban Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. The median Urban Studies program debt is $10,492. Get the full Stanford University report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on this year's Urban Studies ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,444 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Graduate School And University Center one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Cuny Graduate School And University Center Urban Studies students take on a median of $17,921 in debt. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
A rank of #5 makes Barnard College one of the top choices in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,888. Barnard College Urban Studies students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. More on Barnard College
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Urban Studies program here. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Haverford College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Haverford, PA. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,398 in tuition and fees. Get the full Haverford College report
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete their Urban Studies program here. See the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus profile
Trinity College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. The median Urban Studies program debt is $23,667. See the full Trinity College profile
Washington University In St Louis landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $17,553. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #11 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. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. 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 Studies student debt is $15,625. Get the full University Of Southern California report
University Of California San Diego placed #13 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. The median Urban Studies program debt is $17,500. Read more about University Of California San Diego
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located 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%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The median Urban Studies program debt is $21,275. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
New York University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $21,897. See the full New York University profile
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in Wheaton, IL, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,546. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $23,292. More on Wheaton College Illinois
Trinity University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Trinity University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Antonio, TX. Trinity University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. The median Urban Studies program debt is $23,314. More on Trinity University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,550 to complete their Urban Studies program here. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Furman University placed #19 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Located in Greenville, SC, Furman University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,770. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete their Urban Studies program here. More on Furman University
Brown University placed #21 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. The median Urban Studies program debt is $14,000. More on Brown University
Vassar College placed #22 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in Poughkeepsie, NY, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,030. Graduates carry a median of $18,486 in student loans. More on Vassar College
University Of Nevada Las Vegas did well this year, earning the #23 position. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public school based in Las Vegas, NV. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. The median Urban Studies program debt is $30,500. Read more about University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. The median Urban Studies program debt is $25,260. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
Elmhurst College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete their Urban Studies program here. More on Elmhurst College
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #26 position. 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 average $61,867. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $22,248. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Urban Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of San Francisco did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Read more about University Of San Francisco
Boston University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Boston University Urban Studies students take on a median of $25,232 in debt. Get the full Boston University report
San Francisco State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
Albright College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Albright College is a private not-for-profit school based in Reading, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,082. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $28,958. Read the full report on Albright College
University Of California Irvine came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. University Of California Irvine Urban Studies students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. More on University Of California Irvine
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Rutgers University New Brunswick Urban Studies students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Wright State University Main Campus placed #33 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Dayton, OH. Wright State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Read the full report on Wright State University Main Campus
Rhodes College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Memphis, TN, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Rhodes College posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,110. Graduates carry a median of $23,078 in student loans. See the full Rhodes College profile
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. More on Arizona State University
Rutgers University Camden came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Rutgers University Camden is a public school based in Camden, NJ. Rutgers University Camden graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $27,000. Read more about Rutgers University Camden
Towson University placed #37 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $21,241. Get the full Towson University report
Saint Cloud State University placed #38 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Based in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Saint Cloud State University Urban Studies students take on a median of $25,076 in debt. Read the full report on Saint Cloud State University
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school based in Richmond, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete their Urban Studies program here. More on Virginia Commonwealth University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #40 position. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $26,657. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
San Diego State University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete their Urban Studies program here. More on San Diego State University
Coppin State University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Baltimore, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. The median Urban Studies program debt is $33,355. Read more about Coppin State University
The College Of Wooster came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Wooster, OH, The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit institution. The College Of Wooster graduates 74% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,640. Graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. Read the full report on The College Of Wooster
Cuny Hunter College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Cuny Hunter College is a public school based in New York, NY. 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. Cuny Hunter College Urban Studies students take on a median of $11,091 in debt. See the full Cuny Hunter College profile
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #45 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Based in Kansas City, MO, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Read more about University Of Missouri Kansas City
Augsburg College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Augsburg College graduates 52% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. Graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans. Read the full report on Augsburg College
Cleveland State University landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Cleveland, OH, Cleveland State University is a public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Graduates carry a median of $32,083 in student loans. More on Cleveland State University
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Based in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $24,546. Read more about Ohio University Main Campus
Tennessee State University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. Tennessee State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 35%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Tennessee State University Urban Studies students take on a median of $29,489 in debt. Read more about Tennessee State University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
California State University Northridge ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Set in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. California State University Northridge posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $13,612. Get the full California State University Northridge report
Related Urban Studies Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Urban Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Urban Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Associate’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
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).
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.