2026 Best Urban Studies Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

Blacksburg, VA

Our analysis found Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University to be the best Urban Studies school in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Urban Studies program debt is $23,393. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

#2

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

Out of the 123 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Southern California landed the #2 spot. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. University Of Southern California Urban Studies students take on a median of $15,625 in debt. See the full University Of Southern California profile

#3

University Of Louisville

Louisville, KY

Out of the 123 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Louisville landed the #3 spot. Set in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Louisville

#4

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

The strong Urban Studies programs at University Of Utah earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. The median Urban Studies program debt is $20,798. Get the full University Of Utah report

#5

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #5 on this year's Urban Studies ranking in the United States. Located 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. The median Urban Studies program debt is $32,083. Read the full report on Cleveland State University

#6

Portland State University

Portland, OR

Portland State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $36,850. Get the full Portland State University report

#7

New York University

New York University placed #7 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on New York University

#8

Boston University

Boston University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Boston University

#9

Lehigh University

Lehigh University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Read more about Lehigh University

#10

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University placed #10 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Loyola Marymount University

#11

Arizona State University

Arizona State University placed #11 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Arizona State University

#12

Ohio University Chillicothe Campus

Ohio University Chillicothe Campus landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. See the full Ohio University Chillicothe Campus profile

#13

Albright College

Albright College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Albright College report

#14

University Of Michigan Dearborn

University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #14 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Michigan Dearborn report

#15

University Of Pennsylvania

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report

#16

University Of Toledo

University Of Toledo landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Toledo report

#17

California State University Northridge

California State University Northridge came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on California State University Northridge

#18

Harvard University

Harvard University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Get the full Harvard University report

#19

Georgia State University

Georgia State University placed #19 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Georgia State University

#20

Xavier University

Xavier University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. More on Xavier University

#21

Morehouse College

Morehouse College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. More on Morehouse College

#22

University Of California Berkeley

University Of California Berkeley landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile

#23

Coppin State University

Coppin State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Coppin State University report

#24

Rowan University

Rowan University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. See the full Rowan University profile

#25

Suny College At Buffalo

Suny College At Buffalo landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Suny College At Buffalo report

#26

University Of Memphis

University Of Memphis did well this year, earning the #26 position. See the full University Of Memphis profile

#27

Trinity College

Trinity College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Trinity College report

#28

Roosevelt University

Roosevelt University placed #28 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Roosevelt University

#29

Ohio University Zanesville Campus

Ohio University Zanesville Campus did well this year, earning the #29 position. See the full Ohio University Zanesville Campus profile

#30

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College placed #30 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Stella And Charles Guttman Community College

#31

University Of Missouri Kansas City

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Kansas City

#32

Washington University In St Louis

Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis

#33

California State University Long Beach

California State University Long Beach ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach

#34

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Get the full Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College report

#35

Ohio University Southern Campus

Ohio University Southern Campus did well this year, earning the #35 position. More on Ohio University Southern Campus

#36

Rutgers University New Brunswick

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick

#37

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. More on Spring Arbor University

#38

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. More on Bryn Mawr College

#39

University Of Central Oklahoma

University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Get the full University Of Central Oklahoma report

#40

Furman University

Furman University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Furman University

#41

Rutgers University Camden

Rutgers University Camden placed #41 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. More on Rutgers University Camden

#42

College Of Charleston

College Of Charleston came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Get the full College Of Charleston report

#43

University Of California Irvine

University Of California Irvine placed #43 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. See the full University Of California Irvine profile

#44

Tufts University

Tufts University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Get the full Tufts University report

#45

Wayne State University

Wayne State University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. See the full Wayne State University profile

#46

Stanford University

Stanford University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Read more about Stanford University

#47

Harris Stowe State University

Harris Stowe State University placed #47 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Harris Stowe State University report

#48

San Diego State University

San Diego State University placed #48 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read more about San Diego State University

#49

The University Of Texas At Austin

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #49 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin

#50

The College Of Wooster

The College Of Wooster placed #50 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on The College Of Wooster