2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k
19
Ranked Colleges
1,628
Degrees Awarded
$13,200
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 6,430 people earned their degree in public policy, making the major the 113th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public policy graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $49,451 and had an average of $21,866 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Middle Atlantic region, there were 1,628 public policy graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,681 and $21,366 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in public policy. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public policy programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public policy program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Public Policy Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Public Policy (Income $0-$30k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 221 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.
Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Princeton is $2,958 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Princeton Public Policy Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UPenn is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 31 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $580 for Middle Atlantic Region Public Policy students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pennsylvania.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Policy at University of Pennsylvania
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cornell University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ithaca, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.
Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cornell University is $5,244 for Middle Atlantic Region Public Policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Public Policy at Cornell
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgetown University landed the #4 spot on the list. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 201 students in 2020-2021.
Georgetown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Georgetown University is $3,077 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Public Policy at Georgetown University
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - College Park landed the #5 spot on the list. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 235 students in 2020-2021.
UMCP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $6,067 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Maryland - College Park.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.
Read more about Public Policy at University of Maryland - College Park
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 75 degrees to qualified ’s public policy students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carnegie Mellon, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $16,456 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University
University of Delaware did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Newark, Delaware, this large public school handed out 46 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2020-2021.
UD also made our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for University of Delaware is $13,726 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.
Full University of Delaware Public Policy Report
Dickinson College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dickinson, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dickinson is $12,729 for Middle Atlantic Region Public Policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Public Policy at Dickinson College
George Washington University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. GWU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 69 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at GWU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for George Washington University is $17,673 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full GWU Public Policy Report
University of Maryland - Baltimore County ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Maryland - Baltimore County is a fairly large public school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 21 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.
UMBC also made our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for University of Maryland - Baltimore County is $8,565 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Maryland - Baltimore County Public Policy Report
University at Albany landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UAlbany is a fairly large school located in Albany, New York that handed out 34 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.
UAlbany also took the #13 spot in our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $12,489 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University at Albany.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Public Policy at University at Albany
Rutgers University - New Brunswick ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey that handed out 50 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.
Rutgers New Brunswick also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rutgers New Brunswick is $14,935 for Middle Atlantic Region Public Policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Rutgers New Brunswick Public Policy Report
SUNY Empire State College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SUNY Empire State College is a medium-sized public school situated in Saratoga Springs, New York. It awarded 86 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.
SUNY Empire also made our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend SUNY Empire State College is $10,978 for Middle Atlantic Region Public Policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full SUNY Empire Public Policy Report
Stony Brook University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. SUNY Stony Brook is a public institution located in Stony Brook, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
SUNY Stony Brook also made our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Stony Brook University is $11,863 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Policy at SUNY Stony Brook
Temple University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 50 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.
Temple also made our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Temple University is $18,173 for Middle Atlantic Region Public Policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full Temple Public Policy Report
With a ranking of #16, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.
Pitt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $15,084 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pitt.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Policy at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
Siena College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Siena College is located in Loudonville, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s public policy degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Siena, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Siena is $21,342 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Siena Public Policy Report
American University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k list, The American University has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for American University is $21,108 for middle atlantic region public policy students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Policy at American University
The New School did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2020-2021.
New School University also made our “Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $38,085 for Middle Atlantic Region Public Policy students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The New School.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Public Policy at The New School
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
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