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

12 Colleges in the United States
270 Urban Studies Degrees Awarded
$66,367 Avg Early-Career Salary

Urban Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best urban studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Urban Studies in the United States

Below are the best urban studies schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Urban Studies

1

No school ranked higher than Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University this year for urban studies. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 14 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

2
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 12 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for Harvard University

3

Students looking for a strong urban studies program will find one at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. 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%. About 18 urban studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $76,569. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for University Of Maryland College Park

4

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 13 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. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. Get the full urban studies details for University Of Southern California

5
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Tufts University awarded about 22 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $64,224 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. More information about a degree in urban studies from Tufts University

6

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #6 for urban studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. There were roughly 17 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

7
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College landed the #7 spot for urban studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 77 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

8

Northeastern University came in at #8 for urban studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 90% of students finish within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 13 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611. Get the full urban studies details for Northeastern University

9
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #9 for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 11 urban studies degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies program report for Boston University

10

Cuny Queens College landed the #10 spot for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Queens. About 53% of students finish within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 14 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $62,828 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,201. More information about a degree in urban studies from Cuny Queens College

11

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #11 among the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 18 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $65,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,416 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

12

Georgia State University came in at #12 for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgia State University awarded about 21 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $52,589 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,091. See the full urban studies program report for Georgia State University

13

Cleveland State University placed #13 among the best urban studies schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. Cleveland State University awarded about 10 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Cleveland State University earn around $38,929 in the first couple years of their career. Cleveland State University graduates carry a median of $32,083 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for Cleveland State University

14

Norfolk State University came in at #14 for urban studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Norfolk State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Norfolk State University awarded about 10 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Read more about the urban studies program at Norfolk State University

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
Bachelor's Degrees in Urban Studies
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View All Urban Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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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