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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Urban Studies Schools in Massachusetts

4 Colleges in the United States
58 Urban Studies Degrees Awarded
$74,457 Avg Early-Career Salary

Urban Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their urban studies programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for urban studies students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Urban Studies in Massachusetts

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
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in urban studies. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 urban studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Urban Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full urban studies program report for Harvard University

2
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Tufts University awarded about 22 urban studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Tufts University earn around $64,224 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. Read more about the urban studies program at Tufts University

3

Northeastern University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University 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. More information about a degree in urban studies from Northeastern University

4
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies, ranking #4. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 urban studies students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies degree from Boston University earn around $63,598 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. Get the full urban studies details for Boston University

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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 · 6 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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