by our College Data Analytics TeamUrban Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their urban studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best urban studies schools.
What’s on this page:
The urban studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Urban Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Urban Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Urban Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall urban studies education, regardless of degree level.
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 school for urban studies. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 13 urban studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the urban studies program at San Jose State University
A rank of #2 makes Brown University one of the top schools for urban studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 urban studies degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $48,731. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. More information about a degree in urban studies from Brown University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 26 urban studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393. See the full urban studies program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
A rank of #4 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for urban studies. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 urban studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $95,207 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. More information about a degree in urban studies from Harvard University
Students looking for a strong urban studies program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 13 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the urban studies program at Stanford University
University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 26 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $58,171. Students borrow a median of $14,444 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. About 17 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full urban studies program report for University Of Pennsylvania
New York University earned the #8 position for urban studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 30 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897. Get the full urban studies details for New York University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #9 for urban studies this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 18 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $76,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. Read more about the urban studies program at University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Utah earned the #10 position for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Utah awarded about 34 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Utah
University Of Southern California landed the #11 spot for urban studies this year. 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 21 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Southern California
Barnard College came in at #12 for urban studies this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 urban studies degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $40,294 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies from Barnard College
California State University Northridge came in at #13 for urban studies this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $46,826 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,612 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for California State University Northridge
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #14 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 24 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275. Read more about the urban studies program at The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for urban studies this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 50 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $37,074. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of California San Diego
University Of California Irvine ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 60 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $34,385 early in their careers. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for University Of California Irvine
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #17 spot for urban studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 22 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $72,222 in their early career. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. See the full urban studies program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center
San Diego State University landed the #18 spot for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 23 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $51,162 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417. See the full urban studies program report for San Diego State University
Tufts University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Tufts University awarded about 22 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $64,224. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies program report for Tufts University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #20 spot for urban studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Trinity College came in at #21 for urban studies this year. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 15 urban studies degrees were awarded at Trinity College in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $52,927 in their early career. Trinity College graduates carry a median of $23,667 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for Trinity College
Fordham University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 urban studies degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $59,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for Fordham University
San Francisco State University landed the #23 spot for urban studies this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 11 urban studies degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Urban Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,008 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies from San Francisco State University
Northeastern University landed the #24 spot for urban studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from Northeastern University
Cuny Hunter College earned the #25 position for urban studies this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 96 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $72,012 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies from Cuny Hunter College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s urban studies ranking:
Explore the best urban studies schools by region.
Explore other rankings in majors related to Urban Studies. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,020 |
The ranking above is published 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 · 123 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.