Urban and Regional Studies (BS) at Cornell University

Programme overview

The program in Urban and Regional Studies (URS) is a four-year academic program aimed at understanding human communities and the urban built environment. URS courses ask how a vast spectrum of social and economic forces have changed cities; what these changes mean for people in their daily lives; and how citizens, community groups, and planners can work together to make productive, sustainable, safe, lively, and livable places. Graduates from the program receive a bachelor of science degree.

Faculty: College of Architecture, Art, and Planning | Duration: 120 credits minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ithaca, NY, United States

What you will study

Core classes in the major focus on cities and regions — their history, governments, economies, and sociology; students elect other classes from the department and throughout the university. Additional required CRP classes at the 3000-level or higher (five classes) Free electives selected in consultation with a faculty advisor or from a course list organized by planning interest areas

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university through the undergraduate college that offers the major (College of Architecture, Art, and Planning); no separate programme-specific admission requirement is listed in the catalogue entry. See Cornell undergraduate admissions.

USD 73,946 a year (2026-27). Endowed Ithaca undergraduate tuition (Architecture, Art and Planning; Arts and Sciences; Engineering; Hotel Administration), one rate for all students; tuition only, excludes mandatory fees, housing and meals. The programme is listed under an endowed coll Source

First-year applicants: Early Decision (binding) and Regular Decision for fall entry. Transfer applications are considered for the fall semester only.

First-year Early Decision: application and fee due November 1, other required materials November 13, decisions mid-December. Regular Decision: application and fee due January 2, other materials January 19, decisions late March. Applications are submitted through the Common Application; the application fee is $85 (fee waiver available). SAT or ACT scores are required for first-year applicants.

Transfer applicants: application and fee due March 15, other required materials April 15, decisions late April through June, for fall entry only. Applications use the Transfer Common Application; the fee is $85. SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.cornell.edu/how-to-apply

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