2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Bachelor’s Degree 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general public policy analysis students.
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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
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools 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. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $73,630 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $48,252. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $66,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $48,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #5 makes Rice University one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $11,904. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #6 position 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. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $10,492. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $49,685. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,239 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $52,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Chicago placed #9 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $60,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #10 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $35,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #12 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, 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. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,341 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $45,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of California Riverside landed the #15 spot for general public policy analysis value 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, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $19,161 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $39,867. That is a strong return on a $19,161 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,643 early in their careers. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Suny At Albany came in at #17 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $23,521. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Delaware landed the #18 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $25,336. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $36,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Georgia State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $42,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Pomona College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,420 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #21 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $43,837. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
College Of William And Mary placed #22 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $36,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #23 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #24 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $71,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Oregon State University earned the #25 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $24,041. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $60,750. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general public policy analysis this year:
Other General Public Policy Analysis Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Public Policy Analysis rankings across degree levels:
View All General Public Policy Analysis Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
