2026 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Public Policy Analysis](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/public-policy-analysis-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 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 the Southeast Region
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
Our analysis ranked American Public University System the best value for a degree in general public policy analysis in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $23,438. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $57,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #3 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $24,323. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $48,383. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Tennessee State University one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $45,060. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #5 place for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $52,481. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $40,259. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
George Mason University landed the #7 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kentucky came in at #8 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $49,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Georgia State University came in at #9 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $30,750. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $42,215 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University landed the #10 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $60,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Regent University earned the #11 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $38,546. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #12 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $71,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Southern University And A And M College came in at #13 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,922, while out-of-state students pay about $17,272. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $33,288 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $45,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern University And A And M College admits about 35% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary earned the #14 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $36,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $15,468 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,468 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Jacksonville University earned the #16 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,150. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $72,608. That is a strong return on a $25,619 median debt. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $58,353. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $72,813. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
