2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in Illinois
[General Public Policy Analysis](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/public-policy-analysis-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general public policy analysis students.
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Featured General Public Policy Analysis Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public policy analysis, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among general public policy analysis schools in Illinois. 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. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $35,205. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $69,889. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwestern University earned it the #3 place for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $48,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at Depaul University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $52,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
