For many students, location is a hugely influential factor in where they go to college. While some students prefer the small-town feel of rural or suburban colleges, others are drawn to the dynamic energy, wide variety of professional opportunities, and access to entertainment and culture provided by urban colleges.
Many of America’s best higher learning institutions are concentrated in urban areas like Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles. To help students narrow down their options, Intelligent.com compiled this list of the best urban colleges in America. We also provide insight into what students should know about attending an urban college and how to choose the urban college that’s right for them.
How We Rank Colleges
Our research for this list focused on finding the overall best urban colleges in the U.S. This meant evaluating schools based on the factors most important to students and their families, including quality of programs, reputation, faculty, research, student life, graduation and retention, and cost.
A key indicator of quality for higher education institutions is the type of accreditation a school has. All of the programs on our list are regionally accredited, which means they achieve high standards of quality in post-secondary education. These schools are typically eligible for all federal financial aid programs, and credits are more easily transferred to other institutions.
We evaluated each program based on flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out our ranking methodology.
The Top 50 Urban Colleges in America
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What You Should Know About Urban Colleges
Urban colleges allow students to have a traditional college experience, including in-person classes, extracurricular activities and athletics, and campus life, while exposing them to diverse professional, cultural, and social experiences.
While the college population is becoming more racially and culturally diverse, urban colleges are more likely to attract diverse students, including international students. In addition, cities are more likely to have a multicultural population, reflected in their music, food, and cultural events.
At an urban college, the whole city serves as your campus. While rural or suburban colleges are somewhat isolated, with a single town serving the school’s needs, at an urban college, university buildings share real estate with restaurants, retail stores, cultural organizations, and entertainment venues. Most of these businesses and organizations offer student discounts, giving those with a valid college ID free or low-cost access.
From a professional standpoint, a greater concentration of companies in various industries means students have more internships and experiential learning options. Most major cities also have multiple colleges and universities, allowing students to connect with peers at different institutions.
However, students should note that there are some key differences in the way urban colleges operate. While most rural and suburban colleges allow students to live in on-campus housing throughout their program, on-campus housing may not be as readily available at urban schools. Some urban colleges use a lottery system to determine who gets on-campus housing, while others only provide on-campus housing for the first year or two of attendance. Students should consult with an admissions counselor or residence life representative to learn more about student housing policies at the urban colleges they’re considering.
Because of space limitations and access to public transportation, urban colleges typically don’t allow students to bring cars to campus. Most urban colleges work with public transportation systems to give students discounted access to fares.
Students should also consider safety and comfort in crowded, high-traffic areas. Living in a city requires extra awareness and caution, regardless of whether you’re a student or a regular resident. Most colleges have their own public safety departments, municipal law enforcement, and fire departments. Campus public safety services may include escorts for students traveling around campus at night and call boxes located throughout campus should students need assistance. Ultimately, each student must determine their level of comfort on any college campus, urban or otherwise, so visiting a school in person is essential before enrolling.
Pros
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Professional opportunitiesMany major industries and companies are headquartered in cities, giving students more access to professional opportunities like networking, internships, mentorships, and job shadowing. Urban colleges also tend to attract high-profile faculty members who can teach while maintaining their professional roles as well.
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Access to entertainment, culinary, and cultural experiences
Cities are hubs for various activities, including professional sports, live music and theater, museums, public outdoor spaces, and multicultural cuisine. Students at urban colleges can use it with a valid student ID, usually at discounted rates.
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Exposure to diverse populations and perspectives
 U.S. cities are melting pots that attract people of all racial, ethnic, religious, and gender identities. Exposure to this diversity and inclusivity can help students grow and challenge themselves to identify with different perspectives and experiences.
Cons
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Higher cost of attendanceThe benefits of living in a major city do come with a price. Many popular urban colleges are located in some of the country’s most expensive cities, including New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Before committing to an urban college, students and their families should think carefully and realistically about their budget and available financial aid to plan for expenses like housing, food, household essentials, and transportation.
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Urban living isn't for everyone
As noted, cities offer plenty of exciting activities and opportunities, which also means there are many distractions for students to manage. Some students, particularly those unfamiliar with busy urban areas, may struggle to prioritize school work over these distractions or find crowded, noisy settings overstimulating. Before enrolling in an urban college, it’s important to visit and understand whether this is the best environment for you to thrive academically and personally.
How to Choose the Urban College That’s Right For You
Clarify your education and career goals
Even if you’ve already decided to enroll at an urban college, there are other decisions to make before you begin researching your options. Clarifying what type of career you’re interested in and what major or area of study you want to pursue will help inform your choice of school and possibly location. Many cities are hubs for certain industries. For example, students studying business and finance may want to attend college in New York City, while those interested in tech majors may gravitate towards Silicon Valley, which includes San Jose and San Francisco.
Now is a good time to determine your logistical needs as well. If you don’t already live near a major city, how far are you willing to move to attend an urban college? What size city appeals to you? Urban areas range from several hundred thousand people in mid-sized cities like Minneapolis or Atlanta to several million people in Los Angeles or Chicago.
Research schools and programs
Once you’ve established some criteria for the type of program and school you seek, you can begin researching urban colleges that fit your needs.
A school’s accreditation status is one of the most important factors to consider​​ when exploring colleges. Not only does accreditation confirm that a school offers a quality education, but it can also impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid, future educational opportunities, and employment.
Students should also gather information about the program curriculum, faculty, admissions requirements, housing availability, cost, and financial aid.
There are many ways to learn more about colleges, including visiting their websites, speaking to admissions counselors and program representatives, and following schools on social media. For students considering attending an urban college, it’s also important to visit the school and get a feel for the campus and city, especially if it’s located in a city with which you’re unfamiliar. Students who have only had exposure to urban areas through media or brief visits may find the experience of being on campus and navigating facets of urban life like crowds, noise, and public transportation different from their preconceived notions.
Review admissions and eligibility requirements
Each school sets its own application processes and eligibility criteria, so it’s important to review and track this information for all schools you’re considering. Contact the school’s admissions office if you have questions about how to apply and what materials you must submit.
For undergraduate degree programs, an application typically consists of:
- Completed application and required fees
- Official transcripts from high school or GED
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay
- Resume
- SAT or ACT scores (optional at some schools)
Graduate students must submit official transcripts from their undergraduate degree program along with GRE or GMAT scores, depending on the program. Advanced degree programs also usually have additional eligibility criteria, such as a bachelor’s degree in a specific area of study, prerequisite coursework, a minimum undergraduate GPA, and professional experience.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
As you research urban colleges and degree programs, gather information about the program’s cost, including tuition, fees, room and board, and available financial aid options. This information may be available on the school’s website or by contacting the institution’s financial aid office directly.
As with all colleges, tuition at urban institutions varies. However, students should remember that the cost of attendance at an urban college will likely be higher than at a rural or suburban school because of the overall higher cost of living in cities. For example, many urban colleges don’t offer guaranteed on-campus housing for the duration of a degree program, meaning students have to find their own housing in cities with high rents like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
To access need-based financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use this application to determine eligibility for student loans, grants, work-study, scholarships, and assistantships. Many schools and external organizations offer merit-based aid for high-achieving students, including scholarships, grants, and fellowships.
Students working while earning their degree can inquire about employer tuition assistance benefits. Veterans or active-duty military members should explore tuition discounts and GI Bill benefits. It’s also common for schools to offer payment plans so students can pay tuition in installments.