Skip to main content
UMass Boston leads Massachusetts with an $18,282 net price for Public Policy Analysis, creating a $20,505 gap between the state's cheapest and most expensive options. The state's concentration of government agencies, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations around Boston provides rich internship opportunities for policy students. Eight schools offer the major, with graduation rates spanning from 51% to nearly 90%, while public institutions maintain clear cost advantages over private alternatives.
8
Programs
$18,282 – $38,787
Net Price Range
$33,138
Avg. Program Earnings
73.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Public Policy Analysis Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
2 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
3 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
4 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
5 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
6 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
7 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
8 $38,787 $58,150 88.2% 57.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the large cost difference between public and private programs?

UMass Boston and UMass Amherst charge $18,282 and $23,691 respectively, while private schools like Bentley reach $38,787. Private institutions typically offer smaller class sizes and specialized facilities, but the $20,000+ premium may not justify the investment for policy careers.

How do graduation rates compare across different price points?

Higher-cost schools generally show better completion rates, with Holy Cross at 89.6% and Brandeis at 86.1%. However, UMass Amherst achieves an impressive 83.2% graduation rate at just $23,691, proving that affordable options can deliver strong outcomes.

Does location within Massachusetts affect program value?

Boston-area schools like UMass Boston and Suffolk offer direct access to state government internships and advocacy organizations. However, western Massachusetts options like UMass Amherst provide similar academic quality at competitive prices while maintaining connections to policy networks.

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