2026 Best Value International Policy Analysis Schools
[International Policy Analysis](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/international-policy-analysis/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for international policy analysis students.
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Finding the Best Value International Policy Analysis School for You
The international policy analysis program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value International Policy Analysis Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value International Policy Analysis Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value International Policy Analysis Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international policy analysis degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Policy Analysis Schools
Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for international policy analysis in the United States. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the international policy analysis program here. Early-career international policy analysis graduates make about $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international policy analysis, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the international policy analysis program here. International Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $53,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international policy analysis, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. International Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Early-career international policy analysis graduates make about $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for international policy analysis. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. International Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. International Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $69,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Dallas one of the best values for international policy analysis. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the international policy analysis program here. Early-career international policy analysis graduates make about $43,837. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Suny At Albany ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value international policy analysis schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for international policy analysis graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, international policy analysis degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #7 for value in international policy analysis this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the international policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, international policy analysis 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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Connecticut placed #8 among the best values for international policy analysis. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. International Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,964 in student loans. International Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $33,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,964 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #9 among the best values for international policy analysis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,468 to complete the international policy analysis program here. Early-career international policy analysis graduates make about $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University came in at #10 for value in international policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the international policy analysis program here. Early-career international policy analysis graduates make about $57,261. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value international policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for international policy analysis graduates is $18,000. International Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $61,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University placed #12 among the best values for international policy analysis. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete the international policy analysis program here. International Policy Analysis graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University placed #13 among the best values for international policy analysis. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Typical student debt for international policy analysis graduates is $19,615. Early-career international policy analysis graduates make about $40,434. Set against $19,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
