2026 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the New England Region

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

For return on investment in public policy, no school beat Harvard University this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $16,616. Public Policy graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $87,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

2

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

3

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at University Of Southern Maine, which ranked #3. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $51,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.

4

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $67,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.

5

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $38,868. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.

6

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut placed #6 among the best values for public policy. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $25,964 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $33,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.

7

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #7 for value in public policy this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $52,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #8 spot for public policy value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $50,929. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

9

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $10,345 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $59,863. Set against $10,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.

10

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #10 among the best values for public policy. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

11

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

12

Suffolk University
Boston, MA

Suffolk University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $57,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

13

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University earned the #13 position for value in public policy this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $52,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

14

Trinity College
Hartford, CT

Trinity College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Set in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. Students borrow a median of $23,161 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $54,296. Set against $23,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

15

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.