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 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best urban studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the urban studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year 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. Get the full urban studies details for San Jose State University
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for urban studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. 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. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from Stanford University
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for urban studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 26 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $58,171 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,444. Get the full urban studies details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. Get the full urban studies details for University Of Southern California
University Of California San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students 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. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $37,074 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies program report for University Of California San Diego
California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 29 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from California State University Northridge earn around $46,826 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,612. More information about a degree in urban studies from California State University Northridge
University Of California Irvine ranked #7 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. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 60 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $34,385 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of California Irvine
San Diego State University ranked #8 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. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 23 urban studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent 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. See the full urban studies program report for San Diego State University
San Francisco State University earned the #9 position for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 11 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data 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. Read more about the urban studies program at San Francisco State University
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus 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
Portland State University placed #11 among the best urban studies schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 34 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $45,870 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $36,850 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies program report for Portland State University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #12 position for urban studies this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $46,712 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies program report for University Of Nevada Las Vegas
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.