Cheapest Public Policy Analysis Colleges

Public policy analysis programs show stark cost differences between elite private universities and accessible public options. Princeton University delivers graduates earning $62,012 annually at a net cost of $10,555, while University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma costs just $8,543 but lacks earnings data. The University of Connecticut system offers multiple entry points with Waterbury and Avery Point campuses providing identical $20,140 graduate earnings despite different net costs. Federal employment drives much of the public policy job market, with agencies like the Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office, and Department of Health and Human Services actively recruiting policy analysts. Rice University graduates command $55,512 starting salaries at a $12,640 net cost, reflecting strong placement in think tanks and consulting firms. Regional state capitals from Springfield to Chapel Hill create local internship pipelines, while acceptance rates range from Princeton's selective 5.7% to Missouri Southern's open 99.48% admission policy.

Programs

$8,543 – $19,920

Net Price Range

$35,974

Avg. Program Earnings

67.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Public Policy Analysis Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, Oklahoma	$8,543	$9,000	36.3%	56.3%
2	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, Connecticut	$8,896	$17,462	59.5%	97.9%
3	University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, Illinois	$8,916	$12,252	61.4%	82.0%
4	Morehead State University Morehead, Kentucky	$10,089	$9,838	47.7%	84.0%
5	Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey	$10,555	$59,710	97.1%	5.7%
6	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008	$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
7	Empire State University Saratoga Springs, New York	$11,147	$7,630	29.3%
8	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, Connecticut	$11,504	$17,462	56.7%	97.4%
9	Missouri Southern State University Joplin, Missouri	$11,653	$8,400	38.3%	99.5%
10	Stanford University Stanford, California	$12,136	$62,484	92.8%	3.7%
11	University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, Illinois	$12,313	$14,338	60.3%	78.7%
12	Rice University Houston, Texas	$12,640	$58,128	95.7%	8.7%
13	Saint Peter's University Jersey City, New Jersey	$12,973	$41,054	63.1%	88.8%
14	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina	$12,983	$8,989	92.1%	17.1%
15	University of Mississippi University, Mississippi	$13,164	$9,412	68.5%	97.4%
16	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
17	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, Connecticut	$13,339	$17,452	65.4%	97.3%
18	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347	$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
19	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$13,670	$12,051	67.8%	89.8%
20	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
21	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
22	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, Connecticut	$14,059	$17,472	56.9%	92.2%
23	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
24	Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, Tennessee	$14,459	$29,790	54.8%	70.9%
25	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$14,487	$6,496	82.2%	66.7%
26	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
27	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$14,832	$17,228	93.2%	17.7%
28	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
29	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, New York	$15,770	$22,106	48.1%	85.9%
30	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
31	Albion College Albion, Michigan	$16,882	$55,746	57.1%	66.5%
32	University of Delaware Newark, Delaware	$16,931	$16,080	78.8%	73.8%
33	University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Greensburg, Pennsylvania	$17,034	$14,630	39.6%	97.6%
34	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
35	The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas	$17,435	$14,564	70.8%	84.7%
36	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566	$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
37	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
38	University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, Massachusetts	$18,282	$15,496	51.1%	80.8%
39	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
40	St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's City, Maryland	$18,362	$15,236	68.0%	77.3%
41	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
42	Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania	$18,686	$62,412	94.1%	6.9%
43	Regent University Virginia Beach, Virginia	$18,749	$20,686	54.1%	32.3%
44	University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois	$18,967	$66,939	94.9%	5.4%
45	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040	$63,946	92.7%	6.7%
46	Pomona College Claremont, California	$19,424	$62,326	93.2%	7.0%
47	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
48	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
49	University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island	$19,899	$16,408	71.0%	76.4%
50	University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, New York	$19,920	$42,740	57.1%	88.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Princeton's low net cost despite its $59,710 sticker price?

Princeton eliminates tuition for families earning under $100,000 and provides generous aid above that threshold. The university's $37 billion endowment funds need-based grants that reduce the average net cost to $10,555. Students graduate with just $10,527 in debt while earning $62,012 annually. This combination makes Princeton financially competitive with many public universities for qualifying students.

How do University of Connecticut campuses compare for policy analysis students?

Both Waterbury and Avery Point campuses charge identical $17,462 in-state tuition and produce graduates earning $20,140. Waterbury accepts 97.91% of applicants with a 59.5% graduation rate, while Avery Point admits 97.42% with a 56.7% completion rate. Students at both locations graduate with $24,250 in debt on average.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee higher earnings?

Rice University demonstrates strong value with graduates earning $55,512 at a $12,640 net cost. However, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill produces $38,289 earners at a similar $12,983 net price. Stanford provides no earnings data despite its premium positioning, while some lower-cost options like University of Illinois Springfield lack salary information entirely.

Where can students find the most accessible admission standards?

Missouri Southern State University accepts 99.48% of applicants at an $11,653 net cost, though graduation rates reach only 38.3%. University of Mississippi admits 97.38% of students with stronger 68.5% completion rates and $35,416 graduate earnings. Empire State University offers open enrollment but shows concerning 29.3% graduation rates.

What graduation rates should students expect from budget-friendly programs?

Public universities show wide variation in completion rates despite similar costs. University of Illinois Springfield achieves 61.4% graduation rates at $8,916 net cost, while University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma completes just 36.3% at $8,543. Morehead State University falls between these at 47.7% graduation rates and $10,089 net cost.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.