2026 Best Urban Education & Leadership Schools

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for urban education & leadership. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36,560 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at University Of Southern California

2

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

A rank of #2 makes Azusa Pacific University one of the top schools for urban education & leadership. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 5,126 urban education & leadership degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree. See the full urban education & leadership program report for Azusa Pacific University

3

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 6,668 urban education & leadership degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Get the full urban education & leadership details for Pepperdine University

4

The College Of New Jersey
Ewing, NJ

A rank of #4 makes The College Of New Jersey one of the top schools for urban education & leadership. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The College Of New Jersey awarded about 3,962 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $56,617 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,997 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from The College Of New Jersey

5

Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban education & leadership, landing the #5 spot this year. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 2,356 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Providence College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from Providence College earn around $53,208 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete this degree. Get the full urban education & leadership details for Providence College

6

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University came in at #6 for urban education & leadership this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 7,682 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $70,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at Southern Methodist University

7

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #7 position for urban education & leadership this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 8,788 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full urban education & leadership details for Vanderbilt University

8

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 17,380 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $61,829 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115. Get the full urban education & leadership details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

9

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 9,468 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $66,985 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell

10

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25,264 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $54,166 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree. See the full urban education & leadership program report for Michigan State University

11

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #11 among the best urban education & leadership schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32,078 urban education & leadership degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $66,254 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. See the full urban education & leadership program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

12

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University earned the #12 position for urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 5,628 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $52,935 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from Loyola Marymount University

13

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware placed #13 among the best urban education & leadership schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 11,722 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from University Of Delaware earn around $54,155 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from University Of Delaware

14

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco came in at #14 for urban education & leadership this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 5,666 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at University Of San Francisco

15

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 4,722 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $42,972. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

16

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #16 for urban education & leadership this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 2,664 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $49,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,600. Get the full urban education & leadership details for Northeastern Illinois University

17

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Temple University awarded about 17,302 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from Temple University

18

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13,802 urban education & leadership students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from University Of Nevada Las Vegas

19

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver earned the #19 position for urban education & leadership this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Colorado Denver awarded about 11,210 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Education & Leadership graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,022 early in their careers. University Of Colorado Denver graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Get the full urban education & leadership details for University Of Colorado Denver

20

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #20 among the best urban education & leadership schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 24,550 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $84,850 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. See the full urban education & leadership program report for Johns Hopkins University

21

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University placed #21 among the best urban education & leadership schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Union. Kean University graduates 47% of students within six years. Kean University awarded about 6,362 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Typical student debt for the program is $26,703. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at Kean University

22

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #22 for urban education & leadership this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Nova Southeastern University graduates 63% of students within six years. Nova Southeastern University awarded about 13,206 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban education & leadership program make about $70,595 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,021. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at Nova Southeastern University

23

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best urban education & leadership schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Rochester awarded about 7,856 urban education & leadership degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban education & leadership degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree. Get the full urban education & leadership details for University Of Rochester

24

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #24 for urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 16,332 urban education & leadership degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $49,718 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban education & leadership from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

25

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #25 position for urban education & leadership this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17,294 urban education & leadership degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban education & leadership degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $51,799 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Read more about the urban education & leadership program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte