2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in Illinois
[General Public Policy Analysis](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/public-policy-analysis-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 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 Illinois
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
For return on investment in general public policy analysis, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of 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. 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. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $48,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at Depaul University, which ranked #4. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $52,749. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
