2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 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 Southeast 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
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools in the Southeast Region. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general public policy analysis, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, 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. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #3 place for general public policy analysis. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes American Public University System one of the best values for general public policy analysis. 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. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
Marshall University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, 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. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #7 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $13,975. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $60,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
George Mason University earned the #8 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $74,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #11 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $42,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #12 among the best values for general public policy analysis. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $22,859. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary landed the #13 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $36,703. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #14 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $71,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Southern University And A And M College earned the #15 position for value in general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,922, with out-of-state students paying around $17,272. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $33,288. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Southern University And A And M College generally make around $45,304. Set against $33,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 35%.
Regent University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. General Public Policy Analysis graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Regent University earn a median of $38,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $15,468 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $60,004. That is a strong return on a $15,468 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Jacksonville University came in at #18 for value in general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,150. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $25,619. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $72,608. That is a strong return on a $25,619 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general public policy analysis schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $27,414. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $58,353 early in their careers. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Duke University landed the #20 spot for general public policy analysis value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $10,500. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Duke University earn a median of $72,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
