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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Public Policy Analysis (Income $0-$30k)

82 Ranked Colleges
5,667 Degrees Awarded
$5,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 5,667 people earned their degree in general public policy analysis, making the major the 135th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 82 colleges that offered a degree in general public policy analysis. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general public policy analysis programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general public policy analysis program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Public Policy Analysis (Income $0-$30k)

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 269 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke also made our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $371 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Duke.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Duke University General Public Policy Analysis Report

2
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Harvard University is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 172 ’s general public policy analysis degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. It costs about $2,564 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harvard.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at Harvard University

3
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 391 ’s general public policy analysis degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. It costs about $2,500 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UChicago.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at University of Chicago

4
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Princeton University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 221 degrees to qualified ’s general public policy analysis students in 2020-2021.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Princeton is $2,958 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on General Public Policy Analysis at Princeton University

5
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brown University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general public policy analysis degrees to 127 students in 2020-2021.

Brown also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brown University is $1,468 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Brown General Public Policy Analysis Report

6
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general public policy analysis degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” list. It costs about $245 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern General Public Policy Analysis Report

7
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #7, University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Pennsylvania is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 31 ’s general public policy analysis degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. It costs about $580 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UPenn.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at UPenn

8

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 225 diplomas to qualified ’s general public policy analysis students in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $2,670 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor General Public Policy Analysis Report

9
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Cornell University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s general public policy analysis degrees to qualified students.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell University is $5,244 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at Cornell

10

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 190 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. It costs about $3,753 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at UNC Chapel Hill

11

University of California - Berkeley ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 108 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $8,450 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at UC Berkeley

12
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general public policy analysis degrees to 201 students in 2020-2021.

Georgetown also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgetown University is $3,077 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Public Policy Analysis at Georgetown

13
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #13, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 35 degrees to qualified ’s general public policy analysis students in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $3,176 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at Vanderbilt

14
Trinity Bantams crest
Trinity College
Hartford, Connecticut

Trinity College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Trinity College is located in Hartford, Connecticut and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s general public policy analysis degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k list, Trinity Bantams has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Trinity Bantams is $9,349 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Public Policy Analysis at Trinity College

15
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. William & Mary is a public institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $5,972 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at William & Mary

16

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school awarded 235 degrees to qualified ’s general public policy analysis students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMCP is $6,067 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full UMCP General Public Policy Analysis Report

17

Washington University in St Louis came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 28 ’s general public policy analysis degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,556 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WUSTL.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at Washington University in St Louis

18

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 96 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UW - Madison General Public Policy Analysis Report

19
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #19, Carnegie Mellon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 75 ’s general public policy analysis degrees in 2020-2021.

Carnegie Mellon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” list. It costs about $16,456 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Carnegie Mellon General Public Policy Analysis Report

20

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 71 ’s general public policy analysis degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Public Policy Analysis at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

21
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 165 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $12,476 for general public policy analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Public Policy Analysis at University of Virginia

22

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 131 degrees to qualified ’s general public policy analysis students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,037 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Public Policy Analysis at University of California - Los Angeles

23
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 151 diplomas to qualified ’s general public policy analysis students in 2020-2021.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,287 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full USC General Public Policy Analysis Report

24
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 27 ’s general public policy analysis degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best General Public Policy Analysis Schools” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $11,934 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Virginia Tech General Public Policy Analysis Report

25

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 22 ’s general public policy analysis degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,068 for General Public Policy Analysis students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus General Public Policy Analysis Report

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