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Urban Studies/Affairs Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

The CUNY system dominates affordable Urban Studies options with four campuses offering programs under $3,830 net cost. Hunter College leads at just $2,446 annually while maintaining a 61% graduation rate and selective 47.86% acceptance rate. These New York institutions benefit from direct access to one of the world's largest urban laboratories, where students can study gentrification, housing policy, and transit systems in real time. California State University-Northridge provides West Coast access at $7,599 with graduates earning $40,647 annually. The earnings spread tells an important story, ranging from $21,508 at UConn-Waterbury to $41,937 at University of Washington-Tacoma, reflecting regional differences in urban planning salaries and cost of living. Ohio University's regional campuses offer the lowest sticker prices but struggle with completion rates below 20%. Urban Studies programs benefit from proximity to municipal governments, nonprofits, and planning agencies that provide internships and entry-level positions in community development, zoning analysis, and public policy research.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $17,634
Net Price Range
$33,902
Avg. Program Earnings
53.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Urban Studies/Affairs Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
4 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
5 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
6 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
7 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
8 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
9 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
10 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
11 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
12 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
13 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
14 $10,017 $12,817 62.3% 88.4%
15 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
16 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
17 $11,147 $9,172 42.5% 69.8%
18 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
19 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
20 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
21 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
22 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
23 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
24 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
25 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
26 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
27 $12,973 $41,054 63.1% 88.8%
28 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
29 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
30 $13,459 $6,442 27.4%
31 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
32 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
33 $13,725 $11,583 42.4% 78.6%
34 $14,059 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
35 $14,229 $8,486 36.0% 86.0%
36 $14,485 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
37 $14,693 $6,152 26.3%
38 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
39 $14,761 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
40 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
41 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
42 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
43 $15,931 $8,478 53.7% 66.8%
44 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
45 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
46 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
47 $16,791 $11,306 67.6% 78.6%
48 $17,139 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
49 $17,460 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
50 $17,634 $12,828 60.7% 81.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between CUNY schools and other public options?

CUNY Hunter College costs just $2,446 net compared to $10,017 at University of Washington-Tacoma, primarily due to New York State's substantial investment in public higher education. The four CUNY campuses all maintain costs under $3,830 despite operating in expensive New York City markets. This funding model allows students to study urban issues without accumulating significant debt while gaining access to internships at major planning firms, housing authorities, and municipal agencies.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Urban Studies?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger completion rates, with University of Washington-Tacoma achieving 62.3% graduation at $10,017 net cost. The Ohio University regional campuses demonstrate the opposite pattern, offering costs around $6,000 but posting graduation rates between 12.1% and 20%. CUNY schools buck this trend by combining low costs with solid completion rates, with Hunter College graduating 61% of students at under $2,500 annually.

Where do Urban Studies graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

University of Washington-Tacoma graduates command the highest earnings at $41,937 annually, likely reflecting Seattle's strong job market in urban planning and tech-driven city development. California State University-Northridge follows at $40,647, benefiting from Los Angeles area opportunities in transportation planning and housing development. UConn-Waterbury shows the lowest earnings at $21,508, though this may reflect different career paths or regional salary scales in smaller Connecticut cities.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality in affordable Urban Studies programs?

CUNY Hunter College maintains the most selective admissions at 47.86% acceptance while offering the lowest net cost, suggesting strong demand for quality urban studies education in New York City. University of Connecticut-Waterbury accepts 97.91% of applicants but produces graduates earning just $21,508 annually. California State University-Northridge balances accessibility with outcomes, accepting 91.23% of students while maintaining $40,647 graduate earnings and reasonable debt levels at $11,987.

What role does student debt play in affordable Urban Studies programs?

Student debt varies significantly even among affordable options, from $11,987 at Cal State Northridge to $26,000 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. University of Washington-Tacoma offers a strong value proposition with $15,757 debt against $41,937 earnings, creating a favorable debt-to-income ratio. UConn-Waterbury presents challenges with $20,750 debt but only $21,508 starting salaries, requiring careful consideration of career goals and geographic flexibility after graduation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.