2026 Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools

[Education Policy Analysis](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/education-policy-analysis/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education policy analysis education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education policy analysis students.
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Finding the Best Value Education Policy Analysis School for You
The education policy analysis program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education policy analysis degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Policy Analysis Schools
Our analysis ranked Arizona State University the best value for a degree in education policy analysis in the United States. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Education Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $22,341 in student loans. Education Policy Analysis graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $51,095 early in their careers. Set against $22,341 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education policy analysis, landing the #2 spot this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Education Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career education policy analysis graduates make about $87,444. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for education policy analysis. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Education Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career education policy analysis graduates make about $97,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #4 place for education policy analysis. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Education Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Education Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $63,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #5 place for education policy analysis. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the education policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, education policy analysis degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $74,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #6 for value in education policy analysis this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Education Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Education Policy Analysis graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $60,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #7 spot for education policy analysis value this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the education policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, education policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #8 spot for education policy analysis value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the education policy analysis program here. Education Policy Analysis graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #9 spot for education policy analysis value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Education Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Education Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.