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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Urban & Regional Planning Schools in New York

4 Colleges in the United States
209 Urban & Regional Planning Degrees Awarded
$54,460 Avg Early-Career Salary

Urban & Regional Planning degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for urban & regional planning students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Urban & Regional Planning in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall urban & regional planning education in New York.

Top Schools in Urban & Regional Planning

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University tops our 2026 ranking of the best urban & regional planning schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of New York University earn a median of $71,369 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at New York University

2

Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban & regional planning, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 64 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $72,127 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban & regional planning program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

3

A rank of #3 makes Cornell University one of the top schools for urban & regional planning. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $50,877. Typical student debt for the program is $14,275. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from Cornell University

4
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban & regional planning, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 urban & regional planning students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Get the full urban & regional planning details for Suny At Albany

5
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban & regional planning, ranking #5. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Pratt Institute Main graduates 74% of students within six years. About 23 urban & regional planning degrees were awarded at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban & regional planning degree from Pratt Institute Main earn around $38,569 in the first couple years of their career. Pratt Institute Main graduates carry a median of $25,103 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban & regional planning from Pratt Institute Main

6

University At Buffalo placed #6 among the best urban & regional planning schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University At Buffalo awarded about 28 urban & regional planning degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $49,085. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232. Get the full urban & regional planning details for University At Buffalo

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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