2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools in the Far Western Region. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $17,101. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $53,035. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

4

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #4. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $16,539. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $38,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for general public policy analysis. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $66,078. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

6

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #6 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $19,161 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

7

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 11%.

8

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #8 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

9

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College landed the #9 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Students from in state pay about $65,420 in tuition and fees. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants.

10

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $60,750. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

11

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #11 for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $61,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.

12

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $63,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.