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2027 Best Value Public Policy Schools in Pennsylvania

5 Colleges in the United States
$24,295 Avg Student Debt
$77,861 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Public Policy Badge [Public Policy](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for public policy students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Public Policy Schools in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public policy, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Public Policy Schools

1
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University earned the #1 spot for value among public policy schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $54,910. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for public policy. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Public Policy graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Early-career public policy graduates make about $56,926. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in public policy will find it at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for public policy graduates is $25,266. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

5
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public policy schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the public policy program here. Early-career public policy graduates make about $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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