2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for general public policy analysis in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $10,527. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $73,630 early in their careers. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #3 spot this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

4

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #4 place for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $48,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

5

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $48,383. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $66,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

7

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College came in at #7 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $25,239 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $52,614 early in their careers. Set against $25,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #8 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $22,341. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,753. That is a strong return on a $22,341 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,000. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $49,685. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $40,259. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #11 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $35,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

12

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #12 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $19,161. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $39,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

13

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #13 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,500. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $45,642 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $25,336. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $36,796. That is a strong return on a $25,336 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

15

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $14,500. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $50,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

16

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University placed #16 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $42,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.

17

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #17 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $43,837. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

18

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #18 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $60,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

19

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

20

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College came in at #20 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

21

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $57,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

22

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University landed the #22 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $60,750. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

23

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University earned the #23 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $38,546. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.

24

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $71,078. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

25

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #25 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,337 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $43,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.