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Cheapest Public Policy Analysis Colleges in Illinois

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

University of Illinois Springfield offers the lowest net price for Public Policy Analysis at $8,916, while Northwestern University commands $27,143 despite both serving Illinois students. The University of Chicago graduates earn $52,663 annually, reflecting the strong demand for policy analysts in Chicago's finance and government sectors. Public options cluster under $13,000, creating a $15,000+ gap with most private alternatives. Illinois MAP Grants further reduce costs for qualifying students across the state's seven programs.
7
Programs
$8,916 – $29,141
Net Price Range
$45,836
Avg. Program Earnings
72.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Public Policy Analysis Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
2 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
3 $18,967 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
4 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
5 $24,875 $55,587 67.5% 73.3%
6 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
7 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $18,000 difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of Illinois Springfield costs $8,916 net while DePaul reaches $29,141, reflecting public versus private funding models. Public universities receive state appropriations that help keep tuition lower, while private schools rely on tuition revenue and endowment income.

How do graduation rates compare between affordable and expensive programs?

The two priciest schools, Northwestern at $27,143 and University of Chicago at $18,967, achieve graduation rates above 94%. Meanwhile, the most affordable option at University of Illinois Springfield graduates 61.40% of students at just $8,916 net cost.

Does the University of Chicago justify its costs with career outcomes?

University of Chicago graduates earn $52,663 annually with only $17,492 in debt, despite a net price of $18,967. The 5.43% acceptance rate creates scarcity, while Chicago's finance and policy sectors drive high starting salaries.

More Public Policy Analysis Rankings

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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.