Top 25 Most Affordable Urban Planning Schools

Alabama A&M University, Normal, ALAlabama A&M’s MURP program is one of the most affordable in the nation, whether you’re a resident or non-resident, commuter or boarder. Students complete an optional internship and mandatory thesis requirement before graduation. Prior internships have occurred within the cities of Huntsville and Birmingham, as well as with Bloomberg Philanthropies.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban & Regional Planning, with concentrations including
    • Environmental Planning
    • Housing & Community Development
    • Transportation Planning & International Development Planning
  • Tuition:
    • Resident Commuting: $4927/semester
    • Non-Resident Commuting: $9107/semester
    • Resident Boarding: $8802/semester
    • Non-Resident Boarding: $12,982/semester
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
    • Planning Accreditation Board
  • Contact:
    • Deden Rukmana, Chair, at (256) 372-4990 or deden.rukmana@aamu.edu

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZOffered on-campus in Tempe, ASU’s MUEP program is also offered as a bachelor’s-to-master’s accelerated program. The graduate tuition is one of the lowest in the country. Students must complete a practicum or applied project or thesis prior to graduation. Study abroad opportunities are also available.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban and Environmental Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $11,720/year
  • Nonresident: $23,544/year
• Accreditation:
  • Higher Learning Commission
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Deirdre Pfeiffer, Associate Director of Planning, at (480) 965-7533 or pfeiffer@asu.edu

California State University-Northridge, Northridge, CACSU’s MUP program offers a broad-based education in urban planning, especially as it is practiced in the state of California. Classes are scheduled for evenings and Saturdays to meet the needs of working students. Tuition and fees are among some of the lowest in California and in the country for MUP programs.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $4236/semester
  • Nonresident: $6612/semester
• Accreditation:
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission
• Contact:
  • Robert B. Kent, Chair at (818) 677-2904

San Diego State University, San Diego, CABegun in 1968, SDSU’s MCP program is one of the most affordable in California and in the nation. It emphasizes knowledge, specialized skills and professional experience, as well as understanding the broader international context of planning. The interdisciplinary program provides much opportunity for students to learn in the field.

• Degree:
  • Master of City Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $9154/year
  • Nonresident: $16,282/year
• Accreditation:
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Sherry Ryan, Director at (858) 349-5330 or sryan@sdsu.edu

San Jose State University, San Jose, CASJSU’s MUP program is the only accredited MUP program offered in the Silicon Valley. With a history tracing back to 1970, the school also offers graduate certificates in a variety of areas, such as Transportation and Land Use Planning and Community Design and Development. Its tuition is among the lowest for MUP programs in the state of California and in the nation.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $3588/semester
  • Nonresident: $7152/semester
• Accreditation:
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Laxmi Ramasubramanian, Chair at (408) 924-5589 or ramasubramanian@sjsu.edu

University of Colorado Denver, Denver, COStudents in UC-Denver’s MURP program must complete a planning workshop or planning studio, as well as a capstone project for a real client or a thesis, prior to graduation. Tuition is among the lowest of MURP programs in the state and in the nation. The program boasts a 98% employment rate for graduates within one year of graduation.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $474/credit hour
  • Non-resident: $1293/credit hour
• Accreditation:
  • Higher Learning Commission
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Austin Troy, Chair at (303) 315-1006 or troy@ucdenver.edu

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FLFAU’s MURP program is among the lowest in Florida for residents. The school also offers an advanced standing, accelerated MURP program for those who have earned an undergrad degree from the BURP, BUD or BArch programs and have a GPA of at least 3.25. A graduate certificate in GIS is also offered.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $8924/year
  • Nonresident: $24,643/year
• Accreditation:
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Louis Merlin, Program Coordinator, 561-440-3185 or lmerlin@fau.edu

University of Idaho, Moscow, IDUniversity of Idaho’s unique MS program in Bioregional Planning and Community Design is offered on-campus in Moscow and Boise. The program is an interdisciplinary one of faculty from eight colleges and 10 departments. Tuition is among the lowest in the state and in the nation for comparable programs. A dual degree with Juris Doctor is also available.

• Degree:
  • Master of Science in Bioregional Planning & Community Design
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $5633/year
  • Nonresident: $15,251/year
• Accreditation:
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Contact:
  • College of Art & Architecture at (208) 885-4409 or caa@uidaho.edu

Ball State University, Muncie, INBall State’s MURP program offers a regular, two-year track as well as an accelerated track, available only to graduates of a PAB-accredited bachelor’s degree program. Classes are held on-campus, and no GRE is required for admission to the program. Tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students is among the lowest in the nation for MURP programs.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning, with specializations in:
    • Construction
    • Housing and Property Management
    • Public Policy and Facilities
    • Community Development
    • Business Administration
    • Real Estate Law
  • Tuition:
    • Resident: $438 per credit hour
    • Non-resident: $1197 per credit hour
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
    • Planning Accreditation Board
  • Contact:
    • Bruce Frankel, Professor at (785) 285-5869 or bfrankel@bsu.edu

Kansas State University, Manhattan, KSStudents in KSU’s MRCP program have many opportunities for real-world experience through internships, hands-on research, direct engagement with communities, and study abroad programs. Its tuition is among the lowest in the state and nation for similar accredited programs. KSU’s MRCP program is nationally recognized as one of the best.

• Degree:
  • Master of Regional and Community Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $11,996/year
  • Nonresident: $24,299/year
• Accreditation:
  • Higher Learning Commission
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Huston Gibson, Department Head at (785) 532-5961 or hgibson@ksu.edu

University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LAUNO’s MURP program is among the most affordable urban planning programs in Louisiana and in the nation. Real-world experience is offered to students through internships, community- based projects and field work. Dual degrees are available with Loyola School of Law, Dillard University, and Xavier University.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning, with specializations in:
    • Environmental and Hazard Mitigation Planning
    • Historic Preservation
    • Housing and Community Economic Development
    • Land Use and Urban Design
    • Transportation Planning
  • Tuition:
    • Resident: $9108/year
    • Nonresident: $13,678/year
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Contact:
    • Marla Nelson at mnelson@uno.edu

Unity College, Unity, MEUnity’s online graduate degree in Urban Ecology and Sustainable Planning offers an affordable distance education solution for those who wish to study online. Experiential programs are delivered online with fieldwork designed with working professionals in mind. Five start dates per year, small class sizes and the requirement of maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 make this program one of the standouts on this list.

• Degree:
  • Master of Professional Science in Urban Ecology & Sustainable Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident and Nonresident: $650/credit or $1950/3-credit course
• Accreditation:
  • New England Commission of Higher Education
• Contact:
  • Distance Education Concierge at (207) 509-7155 or online@unity.edu

Morgan State University, Baltimore, MDMorgan State’s MCRP program offers students practical experiences in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas. It strives to be the leading planning program on the East coast by educating underrepresented leaders in the planning profession. Tuition for the MCRP program is among the lowest in the nation for urban planning programs.

• Degree:
  • Master of City and Regional Planning
• Tuition:
  • Residents: $12,582/year
  • Nonresidents: $23,118/year
• Accreditation:
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Daniel Campo, Ph.D., Program Director at (443) 885-3514 or campo@morgan.edu

Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MichiganEMU’s program emphasizes skills in land use and environmental planning and geographic information systems. Students in the program must pass an oral examination and a master’s thesis prior to graduation. Tuition and fees for this program is among the lowest in the state and in the nation for urban planning master’s degree programs.

• Degree:
  • Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $11,042/year
  • Nonresident: $19,136/year
• Accreditation:
  • Higher Learning Commission
• Contact:
  • Christine Clark, Ph.D., Dept. Head at (734) 487-0218 or cclark7@emich.edu

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NMUNM’s MCRP program offers dual degree possibilities with Master of Arts in Latin American Studies, Master of Public Administration and Master of Water Resources. Its in-state graduate tuition is among the lowest in the state. Ninety-four percent of graduates of the MCRP program have found employment in the field within one year of graduation.

• Degree:
  • Master of Community & Regional Planning, with concentrations in:
    • Community Development
    • Indigenous Planning
    • Natural Resources & Environmental Planning
    • Physical Planning & Design
  • Tuition:
    • Resident: $9831/year
    • Nonresident: $27,933/year
  • Accreditation:
    • Higher Learning Commission
    • Planning Accreditation Board
  • Contact:
    • Moise Gonzales, Program Coordinator at (505) 277-2168 or mgonzo1@unm.edu

University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NYUnlike some MUP programs, University at Buffalo’s program welcomes students from diverse undergraduate majors to apply. Learning is practice-based and includes research tackling a variety of urban planning challenges. Tuition for the MUP program is among the lowest in the state of New York as well as in the country.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $5655/semester
  • Nonresident: $11,550/semester
• Accreditation:
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Daniel Hess, Chair at (716) 829-5326 or dbhess@buffalo.edu

Appalachian State University, Boone, NCAppalachian State’s MA in Geography with a Planning concentration is one of the best values in urban planning schools, especially for North Carolina residents.  A thesis is not required for graduation under this degree plan. An internship or directed research project, however, is required prior to graduation.

• Degree:
  • Master of Arts in Geography – Planning Concentration
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $4839/year
  • Nonresident: $19,849/year
• Accreditation:
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
• Contact:
  • Derek Martin, Graduate Program Director, Dept. of Geography and Planning, at martindj1@appstate.edu

Portland State University, Portland, ORStudents in Portland State’s MURP program have the opportunity to self-design pathways in addition to the concentrations offered. For the last two quarters of the program, students work in groups on community-based client-focused workshops. Tuition for the program is among the lowest in Oregon and the nation.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning, with concentrations in:
    • Community development
    • Economic development
    • Environment
    • Food systems
    • Gerontology/Age-friendly cities
    • Land use
    • Transportation
  • Tuition:
    • Resident: $17,124/year
    • Nonresident: $25,296/year
  • Accreditation:
    • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
    • Planning Accreditation Board
  • Contact:
    • Aaron Golub, Director at (503) 725-4069 or agolub@pdx.edu

West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PAWCU’s MURP program students are able to use the school’s two GIS labs and Planning Studio, which provide 3-D modeling and virtual and augmented reality. Graduate certificates are also offered in GIS and Urban and Regional Planning. The tuition of WCU’s MURP program is among the lowest in the state of Pennsylvania and in the nation.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $9288/year
  • Nonresident: $13,932/year
• Accreditation:
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Contact:
  • Dorothy Ives Dewey, Planning Program Administrator, at (610) 436-2746 or divesdewey@wcupa.edu

University of Memphis, Memphis, TNUniversity of Memphis’s MCRP program gives students the opportunity to pursue dual degrees with Anthropology, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Public Health and a variety of other disciplines. Tuition for in-state and out-of-state students is among the lowest in Tennessee and in the nation for MCRP programs.

• Degree:
  • Master of City & Regional Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $12,120/year
  • Nonresident: $19,052/year
• Accreditation:
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Charles A. Santo, Chair at (901) 678-3566 or casanto@memphis.edu

Texas Southern University, Houston, TXTSU’s MUPEP program focuses on issues of environmental policy and urban planning that are significant to the southwest United States. Its in-state and out-of-state tuition rates are among the lowest in the nation and state for similar programs. It boasts that, as of 2020, 100 percent of its graduates have found full-time planning work within 12 months of graduation.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban Planning & Environmental Policy
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $7040/year
  • Nonresident: $13,484/year
• Accreditation:
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Sheri Smith, Interim Chair at (713) 313-4807 or Sheri.Smith@tsu.edu

The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TXUTA’s MCRP program offers students an optional internship for credit, as well as completing a professional report or thesis option prior to graduation. Tuition for in-state and out-of-state students is among the lowest in the state and in the nation. Eighty percent of the school’s graduates have found planning work within one year of graduation.

• Degree:
  • Master of City & Regional Planning, focusing on:
    • Urban & Housing Policies
    • Smart & Resilient Cities
    • Transportation Planning
    • Design & Development
    • Environmental Planning
  • Tuition:
    • Resident: $10,622/year
    • Nonresident: $23,774/year
  • Accreditation:
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
    • Planning Accreditation Board
  • Contact:
    • James Brown at brown2@uta.edu

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VAVirginia Tech’s MURP program offers classes in Blacksburg and the Washington, D.C. area. It focuses on the development of technical skills as well as conceptual and critical thinking. Tuition is among the lowest in the nation for MURP programs. Ninety-two percent of graduates of the class of 2019 found full-time planning work within one year of graduation.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban & Regional Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $15,490/year
  • Nonresident: $30,486/year
• Accreditation:
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Ralph Buehler, Chair at (571) 858-3111 or ralphbu@vt.edu

Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WAEWU provides an advanced standing MURP program for students who have a BA in Urban Planning from a PAB-accredited program.  Dual degrees are also available with Business Administration, Social Work, and Public Administration. EWU offers the lowest in-state tuition and fees of any public university in Washington state.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $411.77/credit
  • Nonresident: $931.29/credit
• Accreditation:
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Matthew Anderson, Director at (509) 359-6437 or manderson22@ewu.edu

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WIUWM’s MUP program admits students from all backgrounds to its program. Internships and research opportunities are offered and encouraged. The program’s tuition is among the lowest in the state. Study abroad activities as well as Innovative Cities lectures and the annual Causier Lecture are all highlights of this program.

• Degree:
  • Master of Urban Planning
• Tuition:
  • Resident: $11,864/year
  • Nonresident: $25,295/year
• Accreditation:
  • Higher Learning Commission
  • Planning Accreditation Board
• Contact:
  • Lingqian Ivy Hu, Chair at (414) 290-7274 or hul@uwm.edu