The Best Urban Colleges in the U.S.
2024Choosing the right college can be a challenge, and location often plays a big role. For many students, rural and suburban colleges and universities are simply not the best fit.
Instead, some students seek a school in an urban area with opportunities for vast social and cultural experiences that can be found off campus.
In this report, we look at 15 urban-located and urban-serving colleges in major U.S. cities and provide a primer on what students can expect to find at these schools.
The institutions listed in this guide focus on meeting the needs of first-generation and low-income students. Though many of the institutions we chose rank highly on a national scale, this list also factors in the utility of more affordable urban schools with a reputation for helping graduates achieve social mobility.
What Is an Urban College?
An urban college is generally any postsecondary institution that is located in a large metropolitan area or city.
But an urban-serving institution is a little different. According to the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU), these schools are not just in the city, but of the city.
There is a mission [for USUs] to be a part of the metropolitan area and to be an active member of the ecosystem of that city,
said the coalition’s vice president Jennifer Keup, Ph.D.
Additionally, the makeup of urban-serving institutions tends to cater to nontraditional students—now known as new traditional students — rather than traditional ones.
You’re going to find much larger proportions of students who are … students of color, multiracial students, low-income and working students, adult learners, and students returning,
Keup said.
More often, [these students are] from the surrounding region and will stay in the region [post graduation],
she said. They will contribute to the economies, businesses, and civic landscape.
Top Urban Colleges in the U.S.
To create this ranking, we used data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and College Scorecard to look at factors like affordability, graduation rates, and employment opportunities across 36 urban-serving institutions.
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Located in Los Angeles' Northridge neighborhood, CSUN is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) offering bachelor's and master's degrees in more than 200 disciplines. The university's most popular fields of study are psychology and business administration, management, and operations.
Outside of the classroom, students have access to the institution's computer lab, Pride Center for LGBTQ+ students, veterans' resource center, and DREAM Center for undocumented students.
CSUN earns the top spot on our list thanks to its low total cost of attendance during the 2022-2023 academic year. The school additionally enrolls a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients who have a graduation rate of roughly 69%. Just one year after graduating, over 7 in 10 CSUN grads are employed and earn 150% above the poverty threshold.
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled37,579
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment58%
- AccreditationYes
California State University-Fresno
- Fresno, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Fresno State is a public university in Fresno, California, serving nearly 24,000 learners. The institution's most popular undergraduate programs are business administration and liberal arts and sciences.
In addition to its designation as an HSI, Fresno State is also an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). In 2022-2023, the institution had a low total cost of attendance at $34,769, and 57% of enrollees were Pell Grant recipients.
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled23,999
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
FIU is a public research institution that serves more than 56,000 learners. The Miami-based university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, both on campus and fully online.
The institution had a relatively low total cost of attendance in 2022-2023 at $37,279 but additionally stands out for its high overall graduation rate (74%) and its graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients (71%).
- In-State$6,168
- Out-of-state$18,566
- In-State$911
- Out-of-state$2,003
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled55,687
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
University of New Orleans
- New Orleans, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
UNO is the sole public research university in New Orleans. It has built a reputation as a less expensive provider of undergraduate and graduate programs, including degrees in business and management, engineering, and visual and performing arts.
In addition to UNO's low cost of attendance at under $33,000 a year, the institution also has the highest percentage of graduates who are employed and earn 150% above the poverty threshold just one year after graduating (94%).
- In-State$6,090
- Out-of-state$10,926
- In-State$6,090
- Out-of-state$10,660
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled7,111
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
California State University-Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cal State LA is a public university offering 100 academic programs across 55 fields of study. The school's most popular major is business administration, management, and operations. It is also one of the state's major producers of educators.
Though the institution's cost of attendance is slightly higher than others on this list at $42,569 a year, the designated HSI and AANAPISI awarded Pell Grant aid to 66% of its student body in 2022-2023. Pell Grant recipients at Cal State LA have a graduation rate of nearly 71%.
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$14,304
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled26,029
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Rutgers University-Newark
- Newark, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Rutgers University, Newark, offers more than 100 programs to 11,000 undergraduate and graduate learners. The public research institution's most popular programs are business administration, psychology, and finance. It is both an HSI and AANAPISI.
Rutgers Newark's total cost of attendance was higher at over $53,000 in 2022-2023, but nearly 60% of all enrolled students that year received some level of Pell Grant aid. The school additionally has a high overall graduation rate of 68% and a slightly higher graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients (72%).
- In-State$12,900
- Out-of-state$30,600
- In-State$18,696
- Out-of-state$31,800
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled11,017
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
University of Memphis
- Memphis, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Located just a few miles from the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, the University of Memphis is one of fewer than 10 public research institutions throughout the state. U of M offers more than 180 academic programs to its bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students.
During the 2022-2023 academic year, U of M charged the lowest cost of attendance of all the schools on this list at just $32,360. Even with its low costs, 47% of all enrolled students that year were still awarded some level of Pell Grant aid.
- In-State$8,352
- Out-of-state$15,720
- In-State$9,378
- Out-of-state$13,194
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled21,917
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
University of Houston
- Houston, TX
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
The University of Houston is a public research institution serving nearly 47,000 students. It offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with psychology and business administration among its most popular programs.
The total cost of attendance at UH was just under $38,000 in 2022-2023, and 42% of the university's students were awarded Pell Grant aid that year. UH has an overall graduation rate of 65% and a graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients of 63%.
- In-State$7,433
- Out-of-state$19,673
- In-State$8,073
- Out-of-state$14,517
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled14,208
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Texas at San Antonio
- San Antonio, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
UT San Antonio is an HSI serving over 35,000 students, 45% of which are first-generation. The institution offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in more than 180 programs.
Even with a low total cost of attendance at $36,151 in 2022-2023, the university still awarded Pell Grant aid to 43% of its student body that year. The institution additionally boasts a high overall graduate rate of 64%. A similar percentage of students (65%) work and earn 150% above the poverty threshold just one year after graduating.
- In-State$7,439
- Out-of-state$22,824
- In-State$7,062
- Out-of-state$25,295
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled34,344
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
Morgan State University
- Baltimore, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Morgan State University is a public, historically Black college (HBCU) serving about 10,000 learners. The institution offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, and its most popular programs are business administration and liberal arts and sciences.
Morgan State's total cost of attendance was low at $36,206 in 2022-2023, and the institution still awarded 55% of its student body with Pell Grant aid during the year. More than 80% of Morgan State graduates work and earn 150% above the poverty threshold just one year after earning their degree.
- In-State$5,477
- Out-of-state$15,949
- In-State$8,190
- Out-of-state$16,092
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled9,101
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Kean University
- Union, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Founded in 1855, Kean University is a public research institution located in Union, New Jersey. The designated HSI's most popular fields of study are psychology, business administration, and biology.
Nearly half of all enrolled Kean students (48%) were awarded some level of Pell Grant aid in 2022-2023. Kean's Pell Grant recipients have a graduation rate of about 60%, and 76% of all the university's graduates are employed and earn 150% above the poverty threshold just one year after graduating.
- In-State$10,758
- Out-of-state$18,150
- In-State$15,752
- Out-of-state$20,714
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled12,884
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY at Albany
- Albany, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Located in New York State's capital, SUNY at Albany is a public research institution offering more than 200 programs to over 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school's most popular majors are psychology, business, and economics.
During the 2022-2023 academic year, SUNY at Albany's total cost of attendance was nearly $47,000, but 42% of students were awarded Pell Grant aid. Albany students have a high overall graduation rate of 75%, and the same percentage of graduates are work and earn 150% above the poverty threshold just one year after graduation.
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$24,910
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled16,658
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Charlotte, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
UNC Charlotte is a public research institution offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. It prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive institution, and this year, 33% of enrolled undergraduate students were first-generation.
The university had a relatively low cost of attendance in 2022-2023 at $37,784, and one-third of its students were awarded Pell Grant aid that year. UNC Charlotte students have a graduation rate of 68%.
- In-State$3,812
- Out-of-state$17,936
- In-State$4,337
- Out-of-state$18,482
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled29,551
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Georgia State University
- Atlanta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Georgia State is one of the largest public schools in the nation. The university offers approximately 250 programs to nearly 35,000 students. The most popular majors include law, education, and psychology.
The school's proximity to downtown Atlanta's tech scene, which houses more than 17,000 tech companies, makes it a go-to destination for students interested in business and engineering.
During the 2022-2023 academic year, just over half the student body (51%) was awarded Pell Grant aid. Pell Grant recipients at Georgia State have a graduation rate of about 57%.
- In-State$8,948
- Out-of-state$27,986
- In-State$7,164
- Out-of-state$22,662
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled35,323
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
University of Illinois Chicago
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Founded in 1859, the University of Illinois Chicago is one of the oldest institutions in the city. Located in the city's center, the school prides itself on being part of the "educational, technological, and cultural fabric" of its region.
The University of Illinois Chicago's total cost of attendance was higher than the cost at many other schools on this list at more than $50,000 in 2022-2023. However, half of all enrolled students that year were awarded some level of Pell grant aid.
- In-State$10,776
- Out-of-state$25,126
- In-State$11,870
- Out-of-state$24,738
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled33,747
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment72%
- AccreditationYes
Pros and Cons of Urban Colleges
Urban schools provide many practical benefits. For some students, attending an urban school near their home may be convenient and allow them to commute by bus, subway, or car.
Urban learning environments can be full of job opportunities before and after graduation. For example, students who move to New York City to attend a school in the City University of New York system may find it easier to network or get a job while enrolled.
While urban schools offer abundant opportunities, these institutions can also have a few drawbacks. For example, many urban schools focus on serving commuter students who do not live on campus.
Additionally, an urban college campus may span a wide area within a city, which can make it difficult for incoming students who live on campus to meet new people or become part of student culture. Ultimately, students may find themselves lost in this environment.
Fortunately, many urban schools provide resources to help cultivate student involvement in campus culture.
Either way, choosing to attend any school is all about finding the right place for you.
All students going to college really have to think about a multitude of factors,
said Keup. This type of institution is an incredible fit for students that have civic-mindedness, who have that sense of place-based education.
Methodology
To create this ranking, BestColleges used data from the NCES Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), NCES’s College Navigator, and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Each variable we considered was weighted by level of importance as follows: total cost of attendance (30%), percentage of students awarded Pell Grant aid (30%), graduation rate (15%), graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients (15%), and percentage of graduates who are working and earning 150% above the poverty threshold one year after graduating (10%).
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