Compare 11 Urban Studies/Affairs. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $51,580.
The highest-earning Urban Studies/Affairs program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $52K earnings gap across 11 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
New York University's Urban Studies/Affairs program leads with graduates earning $75,870, while the regional average sits at $51,580. University of Pennsylvania follows at $72,692, and Barnard College rounds out the top three at $62,064—demonstrating that program strength varies even among similar institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Pennsylvania graduates borrow $15,715 and face just a 4.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, CUNY Queens College leads with a 12.7% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York UniversityPrivate | $75,870 | 39 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #2 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $72,692 | 35 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Manageable |
| #3 | Barnard CollegePrivate | $62,064 | 41 | $18,000 | Excellent | $65,000 | High |
| #4 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | $55,584 | 37 | $10,298 | Excellent | $17,680 | Manageable |
| #5 | $55,065 | 21 | $21,500 | Good | $35,324 | High | |
| #6 | $53,255 | 11 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $52,107 | 11 | $24,300 | Good | $37,095 | High |
| #8 | Brown UniversityPrivate | $48,731 | 25 | $11,428 | Excellent | $48,245 | High |
| #9 | $38,289 | 14 | $19,500 | Manageable | $17,518 | High | |
| #10 | $29,685 | 31 | $24,250 | High | $35,031 | High | |
| #11 | Vassar CollegePrivate | $24,035 | 13 | $18,625 | High | $44,501 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
