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2026 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Master’s Degree Schools

34 Colleges in the United States
$21,823 Avg Student Debt
$69,223 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Master's Degree Badge [Urban & Regional Planning](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/urban-and-regional-planning/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong urban & regional planning education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 146 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value urban & regional planning schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban & regional planning degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among urban & regional planning schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $69,502. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for urban & regional planning. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $15,292 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $70,849. Set against $15,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for urban & regional planning. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

4

University Of California Irvine came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $16,539. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $66,092 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for urban & regional planning. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

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6

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $67,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #7 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,736 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $67,566. Set against $17,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #8 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $15,117. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $65,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

9

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $69,357. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

10
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $20,488. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $59,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in urban & regional planning this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $59,475. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

12

University Of Georgia earned the #12 position for value in urban & regional planning this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

13

Portland State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $57,357. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

14

University Of New Orleans placed #14 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.

15

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #15 position for value in urban & regional planning this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $5,673. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.

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Arizona State University placed #16 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $27,009 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $57,345. Set against $27,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

University Of Memphis came in at #17 for value in urban & regional planning this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

18

University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #18 for value in urban & regional planning this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $20,577. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $55,556. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.

19

San Diego State University landed the #19 spot for urban & regional planning value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

20

Wayne State University placed #20 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $64,788. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

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Prairie View A And M University earned the #21 position for value in urban & regional planning this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. Set against $29,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.

22

University Of Arizona came in at #22 for value in urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $25,000. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $40,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

23

Alabama A And M University placed #23 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $31,896. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $45,909. That is a strong return on a $31,896 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #24 position for value in urban & regional planning this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $63,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

25

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #25 for value in urban & regional planning this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in urban & regional planning:

26
27
28
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
29
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
43
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
44
45
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
46
47
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
48
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Other Urban & Regional Planning Degree Levels

Explore the best-value urban & regional planning schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Urban & Regional Planning
Associate's Degrees in Urban & Regional Planning
Bachelor's Degrees in Urban & Regional Planning
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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 146 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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