Urban Studies/Affairs 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 123 schools to find the best for urban studies/affairs students.
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Where you study urban studies/affairs matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Urban Studies/Affairs rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Urban Studies/Affairs Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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San Jose State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best urban studies/affairs schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 13 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies/affairs, ranking #2. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 15 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from Brown University earn around $48,731 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for Brown University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 26 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393.
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Harvard University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. 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/affairs degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from Harvard University
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in urban studies/affairs, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 13 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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University Of California Berkeley came in at #6 for urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 26 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $58,171 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,444 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for urban studies/affairs this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 17 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
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New York University placed #8 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 30 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $64,516 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree.
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University Of Maryland College Park landed the #9 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 18 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $76,569 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree.
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University Of Utah came in at #10 for urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 34 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
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University Of Southern California landed the #11 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 21 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
Read more about the urban studies/affairs program at University Of Southern California
Barnard College placed #12 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 93% of students finish within six years. Barnard College awarded about 29 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $40,294. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
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California State University Northridge came in at #13 for urban studies/affairs this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $46,826 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,612.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for California State University Northridge
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #14 position for urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 50 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $37,074. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
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University Of California Irvine landed the #16 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 60 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $34,385. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from University Of California Irvine
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 22 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921.
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San Diego State University earned the #18 position for urban studies/affairs this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 23 urban studies/affairs degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $51,162 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417.
See the full urban studies/affairs program report for San Diego State University
Tufts University placed #19 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Graduates of the urban studies/affairs program make about $64,224 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in urban studies/affairs from Tufts University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #20 for urban studies/affairs this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 11 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs 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.
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Trinity College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Trinity College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from Trinity College earn around $52,927 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,667.
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Fordham University placed #22 among the best urban studies/affairs schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree.
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San Francisco State University earned the #23 position for urban studies/affairs this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 11 urban studies/affairs students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their urban studies/affairs degree from San Francisco State University earn around $50,008 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans.
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Northeastern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best urban studies/affairs schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 13 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, urban studies/affairs 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/affairs from Northeastern University
Cuny Hunter College landed the #25 spot for urban studies/affairs this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 96 urban studies/affairs degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Urban Studies/affairs graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $72,012 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,091.
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Rest of the Top 43 Urban Studies/Affairs Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong urban studies/affairs education:
This ranking is produced 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.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
