2026 Best Value Education Policy Analysis Master’s Degree 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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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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
Arizona State University earned the #1 spot for value among education policy analysis schools in the United States. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Education Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $22,341 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education policy analysis degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,436. That is a strong return on a $22,341 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in education policy analysis will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Education Policy Analysis 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. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Johns Hopkins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education policy analysis, landing the #3 spot this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the education policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, education policy analysis degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $97,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education policy analysis schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education policy analysis graduates is $21,813. Early-career education policy analysis graduates make about $63,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the best values for education policy analysis. 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, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education policy analysis graduates is $23,529. Education Policy Analysis graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $74,616 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #6 for value in education policy analysis this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Typical student debt for education policy analysis graduates is $27,106. Education Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Boston University earned the #7 position for value in education policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for education policy analysis graduates is $25,232. Education Policy Analysis graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #8 for value in education policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the education policy analysis program here. Early-career education policy analysis graduates make about $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #9 for value in education policy analysis this year. Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career education policy analysis graduates make about $56,168.
Other Education Policy Analysis Degree Levels
Explore the best-value education policy analysis schools at other degree levels:
View All Education Policy Analysis Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.