Born in Lapua, Southern Ostrobothnia, Urpilainen studied at the University of Jyväskylä, where she graduated as a Master of Education in 2002.
Lahir di Lapua, Ostrobothnia Selatan, Urpilainen menempuh pendidikan di Universitas Jyväskylä, dimana ia lulus sebagai Master Pendidikan pada 2002.