2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools
[General Public Policy Analysis](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/public-policy-analysis-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general public policy analysis education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools to find the best return on investment for general public policy analysis students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value General Public Policy Analysis School for You
The right general public policy analysis school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General Public 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
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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
2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general public policy analysis, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for general public policy analysis in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $79,371. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $66,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $24,323. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $48,383. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $88,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University landed the #6 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #7 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #8 among the best values for general public policy analysis. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $62,481. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #9 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,792. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #10 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University earned the #11 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College came in at #12 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $25,239. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $52,614. Set against $25,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $69,889. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $35,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #15 for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $53,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #16 among the best values for general public policy analysis. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $23,438. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $57,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #17 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $40,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #18 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $15,807. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $58,907. Set against $15,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,500. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $55,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,341 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $51,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Marshall University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside came in at #23 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $19,161 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,161 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #24 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #25 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $38,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general public policy analysis value ranking:
Narrow General Public Policy Analysis Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Public Policy Analysis. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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.
