2026 Best Value Public Policy Schools in California
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
For return on investment in public policy, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for public policy. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $53,035. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for public policy. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $66,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public policy schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $16,539. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $38,262 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #6 among the best values for public policy. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the public policy program here. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $88,105 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Riverside landed the #7 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,071. Set against $19,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #8 spot for public policy value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $19,273. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Pomona College landed the #9 spot for public policy value this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of Southern California landed the #10 spot for public policy value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the public policy program here. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $61,605. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
[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.
