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2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in the Great Lakes Region

9 Colleges in the United States
$20,892 Avg Student Debt
$75,782 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general public policy analysis schools.

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2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in general public policy analysis in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $62,481. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $35,205. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #3 place for general public policy analysis. 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, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.

4

University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $17,492. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $69,889. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $50,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $63,862. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

7
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $26,337. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $47,909 early in their careers. Set against $26,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northwestern University landed the #8 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $48,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

9
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #9 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $52,749. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.

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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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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