2026 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools in New York

1

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

For return on investment in urban & regional planning, no school beat Suny At Albany this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $23,521. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

2

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in urban & regional planning will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #2. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $72,127. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Students looking for strong value in urban & regional planning will find it at University At Buffalo, which ranked #3. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $49,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

4

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $14,275 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $50,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

5

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from New York University generally make around $71,369. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

6

Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main landed the #6 spot for urban & regional planning value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Students borrow a median of $25,103 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $38,569. That is a strong return on a $25,103 median debt. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.