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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Urban Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

29 Colleges in the United States
635 Urban Studies Degrees Awarded
$51,316 Avg Early-Career Salary

Urban Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 123 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for urban studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Urban Studies in the United States

See the highest-ranked urban studies schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.

Top Schools in Urban Studies

1
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Leading the list is Brown University, our #1 school for urban studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Brown University earn around $48,731 in the first couple years of their career. Brown University graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Read more about the urban studies program at Brown University

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for urban studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 13 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in urban studies from Stanford University

3

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 26 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $58,171 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,444 in student loans. Read more about the urban studies program at University Of California Berkeley

4
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish 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. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Pennsylvania

5
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 urban studies degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897. Get the full urban studies details for New York University

6

University Of California San Diego came in at #6 for urban studies this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $37,074 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full urban studies program report for University Of California San Diego

7
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College earned the #7 position for urban studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $40,294 early in their careers. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for Barnard College

8

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #8 position for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 21 urban studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275. Get the full urban studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin

9

California State University Northridge came in at #9 for urban studies this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $46,826 in their early career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $13,612 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for California State University Northridge

10

University Of California Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 60 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $34,385 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban studies program at University Of California Irvine

11

San Diego State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. 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. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for San Diego State University

12

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #12 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. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 11 urban studies degrees 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. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from Columbia University In The City Of New York

13
Trinity College crest
Trinity College
Hartford, CT

Trinity College earned the #13 position for urban studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Hartford. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 15 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Trinity College in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for Trinity College

14

Fordham University placed #14 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data 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

15
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #15 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 19 urban studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Urban Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $72,012 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091. More information about a degree in urban studies from Cuny Hunter College

16

San Francisco State University earned the #16 position for urban studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from San Francisco State University earn around $50,008 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. Read more about the urban studies program at San Francisco State University

17

University At Buffalo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 urban studies degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Urban Studies graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Read more about the urban studies program at University At Buffalo

18

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #18 among the best urban studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Tacoma. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 37 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $47,585 in their early career. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

19

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #19 for urban studies this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $27,966 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,550. More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

20

Cuny Queens College landed the #20 spot for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 21 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $42,995 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,201. More information about a degree in urban studies from Cuny Queens College

21

University Of Connecticut placed #21 among the best urban studies schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 15 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $34,074. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the urban studies program at University Of Connecticut

22
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny At Albany awarded about 14 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Suny At Albany earn around $44,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. See the full urban studies program report for Suny At Albany

23

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #23 for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 12 urban studies degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $44,263 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban studies program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

24
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College earned the #24 position for urban studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Bryn Mawr College earn around $35,668 in the first couple years of their career. Bryn Mawr College graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from Bryn Mawr College

25

Portland State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Portland State University awarded about 24 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $45,870 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $36,850. Get the full urban studies details for Portland State University

Rest of the Top 30 Urban Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s urban studies ranking:

26
27
28
29
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
30

Other Urban Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best urban studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Urban Studies
Associate's Degrees in Urban Studies
Master's Degrees in Urban Studies
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View All Urban Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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.

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