2026 Best Value Public Policy Master’s Degree 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $50,982. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the public policy program here. 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

Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $85,111. That is a strong return on a $10,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

4

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 #4 place for public policy. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

5

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #5 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $24,323. Early-career public policy graduates make about $48,383. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for public policy value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.

7

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #8 for value in public policy this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $53,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

9

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #9 spot for public policy value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $61,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System placed #10 among the best values for public policy. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #11 among the best values for public policy. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $75,277. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

12

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #12 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $35,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

13

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #13 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #14 for value in public policy this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $65,892. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

15

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #15 spot for public policy value 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, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $16,539. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $38,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

16

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #16 among the best values for public policy. 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. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $87,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

17

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,341 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $52,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #18 position for value in public policy this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $21,255. Early-career public policy graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

19

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #19 among the best values for public policy. 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. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $19,161 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,275 early in their careers. Set against $19,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

20

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #20 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $97,034 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine placed #21 among the best values for public policy. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $51,576. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.

22

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

23

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #23 for value in public policy this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $46,054. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

24

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #24 for value in public policy this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $61,239. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #25 for value in public policy this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $63,862 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.