by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Policy](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public policy education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for public policy in Texas. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. 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. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #2 place for public policy. 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. Public Policy graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at The University Of Texas At Dallas, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $43,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $71,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #5 place for public policy. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
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Dallas Baptist University landed the #6 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,190. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $48,822. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southern Methodist University came in at #7 for value in public policy this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $19,615 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $40,434. Set against $19,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.