2026 Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Urban And Regional Planning doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 146 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree reviewed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 best-value Urban And Regional Planning school in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,446. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Out of the 146 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Austin, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin has an acceptance rate of 27%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Out of the 146 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of California Los Angeles landed the #3 spot. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $16,097. University Of California Los Angeles alumni report median earnings of $82,511 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Out of the 146 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #4 spot. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 14% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values in the United States. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $20,836. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,860 ten years after entry. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Cornell University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $14,275 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $104,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University has an acceptance rate of 9%. Read the full report on Cornell University
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Median earnings reach $143,372 ten years out. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Texas A And M University College Station offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,097 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,200. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill has an acceptance rate of 15%. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #10 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $17,736. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,466. That is a strong return on a $17,736 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of California Irvine placed #10 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $16,539. University Of California Irvine alumni report median earnings of $80,735 a decade after entry. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine has an acceptance rate of 29%. More on University Of California Irvine
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,464 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. Median earnings reach $54,810 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 85%. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $16,155. Median earnings reach $111,371 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Hawaii At Manoa offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $20,577. University Of Hawaii At Manoa alumni report median earnings of $57,624 a decade after entry. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa has an acceptance rate of 87%. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Harvard University placed #15 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Harvard University alumni report median earnings of $101,817 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%. Read the full report on Harvard University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Amherst, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,631 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. Median earnings reach $74,479 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Florida State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,675. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Florida State University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $102,491 ten years after entry. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Arizona State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,009 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. Set against $27,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. More on Arizona State University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $19,137. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,648. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor has an acceptance rate of 16%. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Southern California came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. University Of Southern California Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $15,625 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,498 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. About 10% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,409 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 61% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. See the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis profile
Suny At Albany
Suny At Albany landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Suny At Albany
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras report
University Of South Florida Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on University Of South Florida Main Campus
Westfield State University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. See the full Westfield State University profile
Kent State University At Kent landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
Pratt Institute Main came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Pratt Institute Main
University Of Vermont came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Vermont
Roger Williams University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Roger Williams University report
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Get the full Brigham Young University Provo report
University Of New Orleans came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of New Orleans
Florida Atlantic University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Florida Atlantic University report
Texas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of Toledo landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Toledo
Eastern Illinois University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. See the full Eastern Illinois University profile
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
George Washington University offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full George Washington University profile
Boston University landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Boston University
The University Of Texas At Arlington offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about The University Of Texas At Arlington
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. See the full New Mexico State University Main Campus profile
Northern Arizona University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read more about Northern Arizona University
The University Of Tennessee ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
Villanova University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full Villanova University profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
Eastern Washington University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read the full report on Eastern Washington University
The University Of Alabama placed #49 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Related Urban And Regional Planning Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 146 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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