2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in New York

[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general public policy analysis students.
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2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general public policy analysis degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools
Our analysis ranked Suny Empire State College the best value for a degree in general public policy analysis in New York. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $25,239. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $52,614. Set against $25,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stony Brook University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $54,079. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at Suny At Albany, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Hamilton College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,960. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $17,000. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $56,158 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hamilton College admits about 14% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at Rochester Institute Of Technology, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
Cornell University placed #6 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $15,750. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $77,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.