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2026 Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools in the Southeast Region

[Education Policy Analysis](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/education-policy-analysis/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education policy analysis students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools in the Southeast Region

2026 Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education policy analysis, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools

1

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

$14,220 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,529 Avg Student Debt

$76,343 Median Earnings (10yr)

For return on investment in education policy analysis, no school beat George Mason University this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the education policy analysis program here. Education Policy Analysis graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $74,616 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

2

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

$67,498 In-State Tuition & Fees

$13,975 Avg Student Debt

$91,565 Median Earnings (10yr)

Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education policy analysis, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the education policy analysis program here. Early-career education policy analysis graduates make about $60,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

View All Education Policy Analysis Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 3 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.