2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in general public policy analysis in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $79,371 early in their careers. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #2. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $97,034. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

3

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. 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 $55,767 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

4

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny Empire State College earned it the #4 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,239 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $52,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,336 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $36,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

6

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #6 among the best values for general public policy analysis. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

7

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $20,537. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $54,079. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.

8

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany placed #8 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 69%.

9

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden came in at #9 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $61,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

10

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $24,488. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

11

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #11 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $56,320. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

12

Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College earned the #12 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $56,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.

13

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University placed #13 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $26,259. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #14 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $24,958. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

15

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #15 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.

16

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #16 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

17

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University placed #17 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $77,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

18

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

19

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #19 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. The acceptance rate is 26%.

20

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #20 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $22,910. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $76,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

21

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #21 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $28,838. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

22

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #22 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $83,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

23

American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $24,139. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $67,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.