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2026 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools in the Southeast Region

8 Colleges in the United States
$22,598 Avg Student Debt
$65,791 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Badge [Urban & Regional Planning](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/urban-and-regional-planning/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong urban & regional planning education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value urban & regional planning schools.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in urban & regional planning, balancing cost against outcomes.

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 Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $69,502. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban & regional planning, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

3

Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban & regional planning, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $27,653 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $22,719. Set against $27,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

4

Students looking for strong value in urban & regional planning will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $59,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for urban & regional planning. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,697. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.

6
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #6 for value in urban & regional planning this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $59,403. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

7

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #7 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. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $67,972. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.

8

University Of New Orleans earned the #8 position for value in urban & regional planning this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $23,048. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Set against $23,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.

9

University Of Georgia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Memphis came in at #10 for value in urban & regional planning this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

11

Alabama A And M University placed #11 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. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $31,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $45,909. That is a strong return on a $31,896 median debt. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.

12

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #12 for value in urban & regional planning this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $58,018. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

13

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #13 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $61,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 27 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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