by our College Data Analytics Team
[Urban Studies](/majors/social-sciences/urban-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for urban studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Norfolk State University tops our 2026 list of the best value urban studies schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia State University one of the best values for urban studies. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the urban studies program here. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $52,589. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in urban studies will find it at Virginia Commonwealth University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $26,416 in student loans. Early-career urban studies graduates make about $49,570. That is a strong return on a $26,416 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #4 place for urban studies. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban studies graduates is $23,393. Urban Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Charleston earned it the #5 place for urban studies. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Urban Studies graduates carry a median of $24,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Set against $24,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.