2026 Best Value Urban Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Urban Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 123 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile 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 Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Cuny Graduate School And University Center tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Urban Studies master's degree schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,991. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center has an acceptance rate of 68%. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Xavier University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Urban Studies ranking in the United States. Based in Cincinnati, OH, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,425. The median Urban Studies program debt is $26,614. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,873. That is a strong return on a $26,614 median debt. Xavier University has an acceptance rate of 86%. See the full Xavier University profile
Out of the 123 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #3 spot. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Median earnings reach $54,990 ten years out. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Out of the 123 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Cuny Hunter College landed the #4 spot. Cuny Hunter College is a public school based in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $11,091. Median earnings reach $63,163 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants. See the full Cuny Hunter College profile
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #5 on this year's best-value Urban Studies ranking in the United States. Located in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,909. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha profile
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #6 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. University Of Central Oklahoma is a public school based in Edmond, OK. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. University Of Central Oklahoma Urban Studies students take on a median of $23,321 in debt. University Of Central Oklahoma alumni report median earnings of $48,351 a decade after entry. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%. Get the full University Of Central Oklahoma report
University Of Maryland College Park placed #7 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in College Park, MD. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Loyola University Chicago landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. The median Urban Studies program debt is $23,521. Median earnings reach $71,530 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete their Urban Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Cleveland State University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Cleveland, OH, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $32,083. Median earnings reach $52,131 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants. See the full Cleveland State University profile
Northeastern University came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $25,611. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%. Get the full Northeastern University report
Cuny Queens College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. The median Urban Studies program debt is $12,201. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%. Read more about Cuny Queens College
Roosevelt University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. The median Urban Studies program debt is $23,879. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,712 ten years after entry. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. More on Roosevelt University
Fordham University placed #13 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Located in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,470. Graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Median earnings reach $85,569 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Fordham University
Tufts University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. The median Urban Studies program debt is $17,074. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,214 ten years after entry. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. See the full Tufts University profile
University Of San Francisco placed #16 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. University Of San Francisco Urban Studies students take on a median of $23,935 in debt. Median earnings reach $89,812 ten years out. Set against $23,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Francisco has an acceptance rate of 62%. Read the full report on University Of San Francisco
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school based in Richmond, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. The median Urban Studies program debt is $26,416. Virginia Commonwealth University alumni report median earnings of $58,128 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,416 median debt. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. More on Virginia Commonwealth University
Drexel University placed #18 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $28,838. Drexel University alumni report median earnings of $84,648 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Drexel University has an acceptance rate of 79%. Get the full Drexel University report
Portland State University placed #19 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Portland, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $36,850 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,906 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants. Read more about Portland State University
Georgia State University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete their Urban Studies program here. Georgia State University alumni report median earnings of $47,384 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University has an acceptance rate of 55%. Read the full report on Georgia State University
University Of Southern California placed #22 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,498 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California has an acceptance rate of 10%. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
University Of The District Of Columbia placed #23 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, University Of The District Of Columbia is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Students borrow a median of $32,304 to complete their Urban Studies program here. University Of The District Of Columbia alumni report median earnings of $44,236 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $32,304 median debt. More on University Of The District Of Columbia
Boston University placed #24 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical Urban Studies student debt is $25,232. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,238. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Boston University
The New School placed #25 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,730. Graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,901. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. The New School has an acceptance rate of 64%. Read the full report on The New School
University Of Memphis came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Memphis profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Urban Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. More on Suny College At Buffalo
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
Rutgers University Camden placed #28 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Rutgers University Camden
Spring Arbor University placed #29 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. See the full Spring Arbor University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. Read the full report on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Rowan University
Rowan University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. See the full Rowan University profile
Wayne State University placed #33 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Wayne State University
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read more about Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
Ohio University Lancaster Campus landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Ohio University Lancaster Campus report
Biola University
Biola University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. Read the full report on Biola University
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Get the full William Paterson University Of New Jersey report
Old Dominion University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Old Dominion University
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. See the full Long Island University C W Post Campus profile
Montclair State University came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Montclair State University
Towson University offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. More on Towson University
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on Stella And Charles Guttman Community College
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban Studies schools. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Toledo placed #45 among the best-value Urban Studies schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Toledo report
Worcester State University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Worcester State University report
Haverford College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Haverford College profile
Dillard University came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Dillard University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
Related Urban Studies Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Urban Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Urban Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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 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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