2026 Best Urban Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Urban Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 123 institutions 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Cuny Graduate School And University Center this year in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $17,921. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Tufts University came in at #2 on this year's Urban Studies ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Urban Studies program here. See the full Tufts University profile
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the top choices in the United States. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Urban Studies students take on a median of $20,836 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
The strong Urban Studies programs at University Of Southern California earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set 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 average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full University Of Southern California profile
The strong Urban Studies programs at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned it the #5 place in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. About 53% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $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
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set 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. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Urban Studies program debt is $23,393. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Cuny Hunter College placed #7 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete their Urban Studies program here. See the full Cuny Hunter College profile
Drexel University placed #8 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set 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. Graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Read the full report on Drexel University
Xavier University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cincinnati, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,425. The median Urban Studies program debt is $26,614. See the full Xavier University profile
Northeastern University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read the full report on Northeastern University
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Richmond, VA. Virginia Commonwealth University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. The median Urban Studies program debt is $26,416. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
Loyola University Chicago landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. The median Urban Studies program debt is $23,521. See the full Loyola University Chicago profile
University Of San Francisco did well this year, earning the #13 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. University Of San Francisco posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. University Of San Francisco Urban Studies students take on a median of $23,935 in debt. More on University Of San Francisco
Fordham University placed #14 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $25,643. More on Fordham University
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $21,783. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a public school based in Edmond, OK. University Of Central Oklahoma posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. More on University Of Central Oklahoma
Boston University placed #17 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. 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. More on Boston University
Cuny Queens College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Located in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $12,201. More on Cuny Queens College
Roosevelt University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,315. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Get the full Roosevelt University report
Cleveland State University placed #20 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Located in Cleveland, OH, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Cleveland State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $32,083. More on Cleveland State University
Portland State University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Portland State University Urban Studies students take on a median of $36,850 in debt. More on Portland State University
Georgia State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Read the full report on Georgia State University
The New School did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in New York, NY, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Get the full The New School report
University Of The District Of Columbia landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Washington, DC, University Of The District Of Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. The median Urban Studies program debt is $32,304. More on University Of The District Of Columbia
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. More on Wright State University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Urban Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Washington University In St Louis ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
San Jose State University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on San Jose State University
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst College did well this year, earning the #28 position. See the full Elmhurst College profile
Haverford College landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Haverford College
Rhodes College
Rhodes College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. See the full Rhodes College profile
Lipscomb University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. See the full Lipscomb University profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #32 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Memphis landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Memphis
Montclair State University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. Read more about Montclair State University
The College Of Wooster came in at #35 in this year's ranking. See the full The College Of Wooster profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of New Orleans did well this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on University Of New Orleans
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Read more about Tulane University Of Louisiana
University Of Michigan Dearborn did well this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full University Of Michigan Dearborn report
Old Dominion University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. More on Old Dominion University
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
University Of Georgia landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Stanford University placed #43 among Urban Studies schools in the United States. More on Stanford University
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #44 in this year's ranking. See the full Long Island University C W Post Campus profile
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. See the full Suny College At Buffalo profile
University Of Nevada Las Vegas did well this year, earning the #46 position. More on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Augsburg College
Augsburg College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Urban Studies schools. See the full Augsburg College profile
William Paterson University Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #48 position. More on William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Saint Peters College did well this year, earning the #49 position. See the full Saint Peters College profile
Wheaton College Illinois did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on Wheaton College Illinois
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Urban Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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