2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in New York

[General Public Policy Analysis](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/public-policy-analysis-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 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 New York
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
Suny Empire State College tops our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools in New York. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $25,239. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $52,614 early in their careers. Set against $25,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Albany earned it the #2 place for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
A rank of #3 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $54,079. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
A rank of #4 makes Cornell University one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $15,750. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $77,906 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Hamilton College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #5 spot this year. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. In-state tuition and fees average $68,960. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $17,000. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $56,158. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.