by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Policy](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public policy students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public policy, balancing cost against outcomes.
George Mason University earned the #1 spot for value among public policy schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $23,529. Early-career public policy graduates make about $74,616. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at Regent University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, public policy 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%.
Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy 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.
Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $71,078. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #5 place for public policy. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $15,468 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $60,004. That is a strong return on a $15,468 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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Liberty University came in at #6 for value in public policy this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy 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.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.