2027 Best Value Public Policy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Public Policy](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/) 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 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public policy schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Policy Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public policy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Policy Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among public policy schools 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. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $10,527. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $73,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $48,252. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $66,078 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for public policy. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $48,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Rice University one of the best values for public policy. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Stanford University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Public Policy 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. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $49,685. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Chicago ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public policy schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $17,492. Early-career public policy graduates make about $60,057. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny Empire State College came in at #9 for value in public policy this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,239 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $52,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in public policy this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $40,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #11 for value in public policy 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Public Policy graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $35,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #12 for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $22,341. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,753. Set against $22,341 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #13 among the best values for public policy. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $45,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #14 among the best values for public policy. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public policy schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,161 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $39,867 early in their careers. Set against $19,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in public policy this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public policy schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $25,336 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $36,796. Set against $25,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University landed the #19 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $30,750. Early-career public policy graduates make about $42,215. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Pomona College landed the #20 spot for public policy value this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,420. Public Policy graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 7%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #21 for value in public policy this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $43,837. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
College Of William And Mary placed #22 among the best values for public policy. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $36,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #23 among the best values for public policy. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #24 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $71,078. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public policy schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $60,750. Set against $24,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Public Policy Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public policy value ranking:
Other Public Policy Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public Policy rankings across degree levels:
View All Public Policy 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
