2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Master’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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 63 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 United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general public policy analysis degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in general public policy analysis in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. 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 $85,111. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $48,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. 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. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. 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.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $14,238. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $88,105 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Stanford University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $10,492. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,000. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $75,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #8 position 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $35,205. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $66,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #10 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $53,035 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
American Public University System earned the #11 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. 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 Washington Bothell Campus came in at #12 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $15,807. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $58,907 early in their careers. Set against $15,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,500. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $65,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University placed #14 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arizona State University came in at #15 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $22,341 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,436. Set against $22,341 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University landed the #17 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $63,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine earned the #18 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,262. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Riverside landed the #19 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $19,161. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,275 early in their careers. Set against $19,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #20 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. 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. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,255. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #21 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #22 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $61,239. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #23 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $20,798. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $61,434 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $51,576. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #25 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $63,862. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general public policy analysis:
Other General Public Policy Analysis Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general public policy analysis schools at other degree levels:
View All General Public Policy Analysis Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
