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

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools in the United States. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $85,111. That is a strong return on a $10,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $15,000. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $48,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

4

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

A rank of #4 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, 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. The acceptance rate is 14%.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $16,097. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. 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%.

7

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #7 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $23,438. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $53,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #9 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $61,434. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #10 for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. 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. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $35,205 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

11

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $75,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #12 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $16,539. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $38,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

13

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #13 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.

14

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #14 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $22,341. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $52,436 early in their careers. Set against $22,341 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #15 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $65,892. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

16

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #16 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $16,616. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $87,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #17 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. 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, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. 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 $40,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

19

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University placed #19 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

20

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 79%.

21

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #21 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $13,426. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $97,034 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

22

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #22 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $22,635. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

23

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #23 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $61,239. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

24

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #24 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $63,862. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

25

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University placed #25 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. General Public 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.