2026 Best Value Public Policy Schools

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

For return on investment in public policy, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for public policy. 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. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $10,492. Public Policy graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

A rank of #3 makes Princeton University one of the best values for public policy. 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 public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $79,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

4

Rice University
Houston, TX

Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at Rice University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

5

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #5 place for public policy. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

6

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #6 among the best values for public policy. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

7

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for public policy. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $48,383. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

8

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #8 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $66,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

9

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #9 spot for public policy value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $88,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

10

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #10 for value in public policy this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $53,035. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

11

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System earned the #11 position for value in public policy this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $23,438. Public Policy graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College came in at #12 for value in public policy this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $25,239 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $52,614. Set against $25,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #13 spot for public policy value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy 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.

14

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot for public policy value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $62,481. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

15

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #15 for value in public policy this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $21,000. Public Policy graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $40,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

16

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #16 position for value in public policy this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,341 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $51,095. That is a strong return on a $22,341 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #17 for value in public policy this year. 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 public policy graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, public policy 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.

18

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $19,273. Early-career public policy graduates make about $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #19 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #20 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $55,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

21

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University placed #21 among the best values for public policy. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $25,800. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

22

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University earned the #22 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $45,060. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

23

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $16,616. Early-career public policy graduates make about $87,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #24 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $21,255. Early-career public policy graduates make about $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #25 spot for public policy value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,161 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,161 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.