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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Urban Studies Schools in New York

10 Colleges in the United States
263 Urban Studies Degrees Awarded
$60,585 Avg Early-Career Salary

Urban Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 20 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 New York

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.

Top Schools in Urban Studies

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked New York University the best school in the country for a degree in urban studies. 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. Urban Studies graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. See the full urban studies program report for New York University

2
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Barnard College one of the top schools for urban studies. 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. Get the full urban studies details for Barnard College

3

Students looking for a strong urban studies program will find one at Cuny Graduate School And University Center, which ranked #3. 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. Soon after graduation, urban studies degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

4

Students looking for a strong urban studies program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 11 urban studies degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $86,770 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. See the full urban studies program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

5

Fordham University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in urban studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. About 82% of students finish within six years. Fordham University awarded about 13 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Read more about the urban studies program at Fordham University

6
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #6 position for urban studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. About 57% of students finish within six years. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 96 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $72,012 in their early career. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. More information about a degree in urban studies from Cuny Hunter College

7

University At Buffalo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school 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. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $52,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree. See the full urban studies program report for University At Buffalo

8

Cuny Queens College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. 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 35 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies program make about $52,912 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,201 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for Cuny Queens College

9
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany landed the #9 spot for urban studies this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Urban Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Get the full urban studies details for Suny At Albany

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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