Best colleges for Urban Studies/Affairs in New York
Ranked by graduate earnings
CUNY Hunter College, CUNY Queens College and Barnard College award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees in New York: 77, 36 and 24 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 New York colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs and award 315 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Urban Studies/Affairs program is a transdisciplinary field that explores urban settlements and development. It encompasses various subjects, including geography, sociology, and public policy, making it ideal for students interested in…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Queens College Queens Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,995 | 36 | 53% | — | $12,201 |
| 2 | Barnard College New York Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,294 | 24 | 93% | $24,675 | $19,000 |
| 3 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,410 | 7 | 91% | $29,107 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees in New York
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Hunter College New York Public | 77 | Not reported |
| 2 | CUNY Queens College Queens Public | 36 | $42,995 |
| 3 | Barnard College New York Private not-for-profit | 24 | $40,294 |
| 4 | New York University New York Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 5 | Columbia University New York Private not-for-profit | 22 | Not reported |
| 6 | Fordham University Bronx Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 7 | University at Buffalo Buffalo Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | The New School New York Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie Private not-for-profit | 7 | $39,410 |
| 10 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo Public | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 New York colleges offering Urban Studies/Affairs
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center (Online) | New York | Public | 66 |
| CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College | New York | Public | 7 |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York | Public | 5 |
| Manhattan University | Riverdale | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University at Albany | Albany | Public | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Urban and Regional Planners (SOC 19-3051).
Top skills
What Urban and Regional Planners earn in New York
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Urban Studies/Affairs programs in New York.
Which New York colleges award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees?+
CUNY Hunter College (77 graduates a year), CUNY Queens College (36 graduates a year) and Barnard College (24 graduates a year) award the most Urban Studies/Affairs degrees in New York, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 New York colleges offer Urban Studies/Affairs.
Which Urban Studies/Affairs program in New York has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, CUNY Queens College tops the list at $42,995. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Urban and Regional Planners earn in New York?+
The average annual wage for Urban and Regional Planners in New York is $98,560 (median $89,630), across about 2,420 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Urban Studies/Affairs program?+
The Urban Studies/Affairs program is a transdisciplinary field that explores urban settlements and development. It encompasses various subjects, including geography, sociology, and public policy, making it ideal for students interested in…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Urban and Regional Planners?+
The national job outlook is about +3.4% growth with around 3,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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