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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Urban Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

12 Colleges in the United States
320 Urban Studies Degrees Awarded
$61,650 Avg Early-Career Salary

Urban Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools to find the best for urban studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Urban Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall urban studies education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Urban Studies

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in urban studies. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about the urban studies program at University Of Pennsylvania

2
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies, ranking #2. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school 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. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for New York University

3

Students looking for a strong urban studies program will find one at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in urban studies from University Of Maryland College Park

4
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. About 29 urban studies degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Urban Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $40,294 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban studies program at Barnard College

5

Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. There were roughly 22 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. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. More information about a degree in urban studies from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

6

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #6 position for urban studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish 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. Read more about the urban studies program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

7

Fordham University came in at #7 for urban studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 13 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban studies program at Fordham University

8
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #8 among the best urban studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 96 urban studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $72,012 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091. Get the full urban studies details for Cuny Hunter College

9

University At Buffalo came in at #9 for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University At Buffalo awarded about 12 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from University At Buffalo earn around $52,403 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for University At Buffalo

10

Cuny Queens College earned the #10 position for urban studies this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. Cuny Queens College awarded about 35 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $52,912 early in their careers. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $12,201 in student loans. See the full urban studies program report for Cuny Queens College

11
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany landed the #11 spot for urban studies this year. 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. About 15 urban studies degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Suny At Albany earn around $44,736 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies program report for Suny At Albany

12

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #12 spot for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 12 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $44,263 in their early career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

13
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 10 urban studies degrees were awarded at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $35,668 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,069. Get the full urban studies details for Bryn Mawr College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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