2027 Best Value General Public Policy Analysis Schools in the Southwest Region

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 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 Southwest Region
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
Rice University earned the #1 spot for value among general public policy analysis schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. Early-career general public policy analysis graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #2 place for general public policy analysis. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, 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 $51,095. That is a strong return on a $22,341 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Dallas earned it the #4 place for general public policy analysis. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $43,837. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general public policy analysis will find it at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general public policy analysis graduates is $21,275. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $71,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University placed #6 among the best values for general public policy analysis. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Students borrow a median of $19,615 to complete the general public policy analysis program here. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $40,434 early in their careers. Set against $19,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% 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 · 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.