2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

For return on investment in general public policy analysis, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $10,527. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $79,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #2 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

3

Rice University
Houston, TX

Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at Rice University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

4

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #4. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,181. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $15,000. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

6

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #6 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $24,323. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $48,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $66,078 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

8

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #8 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,105. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

9

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #10 for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $53,035 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

11

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College placed #11 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,239 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $52,614. Set against $25,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $61,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #13 for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $62,481 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,000. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $40,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

15

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,341 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $51,095. That is a strong return on a $22,341 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

16

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #16 among the best values for general public policy analysis. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $17,000. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $35,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

17

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #17 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,262. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

18

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.

19

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #19 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #20 for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,500. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $55,767. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #21 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,161 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $40,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

22

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #22 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $25,800. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

23

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

24

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #24 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $87,444. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $51,576. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.