2026 Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Urban And Regional Planning graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 146 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree evaluated schools to produce 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Texas Tech University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University has an acceptance rate of 73%. Read more about Texas Tech University
You'll get strong value at Roger Williams University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Bristol, RI, Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,197. Roger Williams University Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $25,676 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $70,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Roger Williams University report
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Arlington one of the best values in the United States. Set in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $21,632. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
You'll get strong value at University Of Florida, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Urban And Regional Planning program debt is $17,669. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants. Read more about University Of Florida
Out of the 146 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $86,863. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 17%. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Harvard University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Urban And Regional Planning program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $101,817. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. More on Harvard University
Texas A And M University College Station offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,097 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $16,155. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $111,371. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Miami landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. University Of Miami Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $17,750 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,328. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 19% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Miami report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Graduates carry a median of $25,464 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,810. Set against $25,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
University Of Rhode Island landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. University Of Rhode Island Urban And Regional Planning students take on a median of $23,432 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,743 ten years after entry. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $102,491 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical Urban And Regional Planning student debt is $23,312. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,131. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio has an acceptance rate of 87%. More on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Appalachian State University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. More on Appalachian State University
Delaware Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Get the full Delaware Valley College report
Eastern Michigan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
University Of Arizona ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. More on University Of Arizona
University Of Kansas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Get the full University Of Kansas report
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Eastern Washington University placed #22 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. More on Eastern Washington University
Alabama A And M University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Alabama A And M University report
Boston University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. More on Boston University
University Of Oregon ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read more about University Of Oregon
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Urban And Regional Planning Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Auburn University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. See the full Auburn University profile
American Public University System placed #27 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Get the full American Public University System report
Brigham Young University Provo offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. More on Brigham Young University Provo
Kansas State University came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. More on Kansas State University
Pratt Institute Main offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Get the full Pratt Institute Main report
University Of California Irvine placed #31 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Read more about University Of California Irvine
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Morgan State University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Morgan State University report
Portland State University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. More on Portland State University
College Of Charleston offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on College Of Charleston
Texas Southern University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Texas Southern University profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #37 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read the full report on University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Plymouth State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Plymouth State University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #42 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Florida State University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools. Get the full Florida State University report
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Eastern Illinois University placed #46 among the best-value Urban And Regional Planning schools in the United States. Read the full report on Eastern Illinois University
California State University Chico offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full California State University Chico report
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras report
University Of Louisville came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Louisville
Related Urban And Regional Planning Value Rankings
See value rankings for 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Urban And Regional Planning Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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