2026 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among public policy schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $79,371. That is a strong return on a $10,527 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for public policy. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. 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 $55,767. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

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 public policy. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $25,239 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $52,614. Set against $25,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #5. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $25,336 in student loans. Public Policy 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. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

6

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #6 for value in public policy this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $21,331. Public Policy graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

7

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $54,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

8

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

9

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University landed the #9 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $52,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.

10

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden came in at #10 for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $24,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $61,558. That is a strong return on a $24,577 median debt. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.

11

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #11 position for value in public policy this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $26,500. Early-career public policy graduates make about $56,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

12

Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College landed the #12 spot for public policy value this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy 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. The acceptance rate is 14%.

13

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

14

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $26,259. Public Policy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

15

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot for public policy value this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.

16

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. 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. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $16,155. Early-career public policy graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

17

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University placed #17 among the best values for public policy. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $77,906. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

18

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

19

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University placed #19 among the best values for public policy. 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. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $23,008. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.

20

Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University earned the #20 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $26,297. Early-career public policy graduates make about $54,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.

21

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University landed the #21 spot for public policy value this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $76,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

22

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #22 spot for public policy value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $67,556. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

23

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $83,403. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.

24

American University
Washington, DC

American University placed #24 among the best values for public policy. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from American University generally make around $67,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.

25

The New School
New York, NY

The New School earned the #25 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of The New School earn a median of $69,579 early in their careers. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.