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Best Schools for Urban Studies/Affairs

Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn a median of $34,682 within two years of graduation, ranking #162 out of 292 tracked majors — 2% below the median across all fields. There are 28 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 600 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Fordham University graduates earn $52,107 while University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates earn $21,508 — a $30,599 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: Urban Studies/Affairs graduates see an average -3% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

28
Schools
$34,682
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#162
of 292 Majors
600
Graduates

Public vs Private: Urban Studies/Affairs

Public (22 schools)
$33,543
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (6 schools)
$38,861
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $5,318 more in early earnings on average for Urban Studies/Affairs graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Urban Studies/Affairs by State

California
6 schools
$37,993
Connecticut
5 schools
$21,508
New York
4 schools
$41,635
Pennsylvania
2 schools
$39,254
Minnesota
2 schools
$39,415
Washington
2 schools
$41,937
Massachusetts
1 schools
$38,289
Louisiana
1 schools
$36,183

Top Urban Studies/Affairs Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
F

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 56.3%
#2
N

New York University

New York, NY · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 9.4%
#3
U

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$48,823
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,426
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 5.9%
#4
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$48,432
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,338
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 11.7%
#5
M

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public

$43,128
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 91.3%
#6
U

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

$41,937
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,241
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 42.5%
#7
U

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA · Public

$41,937
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,241
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 83.0%
#8
S

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$40,737
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,994
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 96.2%
#9
C

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$40,647
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,144
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 93.2%
#10
U

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$39,729
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,393
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 24.5%
#11
W

Worcester State University

Worcester, MA · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 89.9%
#12
C

CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 68.5%
#13
U

University of New Orleans

New Orleans, LA · Public

$36,183
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 66.8%
#14
U

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

$35,701
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,534
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 77.0%
#15
C

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public

$34,704
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,712
Grads: 68
Acceptance: 95.5%
#16
U

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,073
Grads: 41
Acceptance: 25.6%
#17
V

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public

$33,382
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,639
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 93.1%
#18
W

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public

$32,119
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 82.0%
#19
T

Trinity University

San Antonio, TX · Private

$31,670
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 28.2%
#20
U

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr: $24,887
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 49.7%
#21
L

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$24,421
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 40.3%
#22
V

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private

$24,035
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,521
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 17.7%
#23
U

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,132
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 53.9%
#24
U

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,983
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 78.5%
#25
U

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,132
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 87.0%
#26
U

University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, CT · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,132
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 86.5%
#27
U

University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, CT · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,132
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 80.2%
#28
U

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, CT · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,132
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 86.5%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Geography and Cartography $35,226 Natural Resources Management and Policy $35,215 Agricultural Production Operations $34,898 Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution $34,823 Social Sciences, Other $34,758 Criminal Justice and Corrections $34,646

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Urban Studies/Affairs?
Fordham University ranks #1 for Urban Studies/Affairs with median graduate earnings of $52,107 within two years. There are 28 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn?
Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn an average of $34,682 within two years of graduation. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $21,508 to $52,107 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Urban Studies/Affairs program?
The average acceptance rate across Urban Studies/Affairs programs is 61.5%. The most selective program is at University of Pennsylvania with a 5.9% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Urban Studies/Affairs?
Private Urban Studies/Affairs programs average $38,861 in early earnings vs $33,543 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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