2024 Best Colleges for Public Policy

If you’re searching for the best colleges and universities for Public Policy, you’re in the right place. Below is a list of all universities in the US offering a Public Policy degree or major, along with earnings after graduation, average student loan debt, acceptance rate and more. Read More

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Public Policy programs in America. The list includes 70 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

If you’re still wondering whether Public Policy is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Public Policy: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Public Policy. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Public Policy program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Public Policy we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Public Policy.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Public Policy in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Public Policy Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Public Policy?

Cornell University is the best university for majoring in Public Policy based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Cornell University earned an average of $69,897 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Public Policy?

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is the cheapest university for majoring in Public Policy based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,270 to attend University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Public Policy?

University of Chicago is the most expensive university for majoring in Public Policy based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $51,351 to attend University of Chicago.

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#16 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $43,798
Average Debt $21,130
Program Size 19
Virginia Tech (VT)
4 Year
Blacksburg, VA
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Virginia Tech (VT), located in Blacksburg, VA has 19 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $43,798.
Acceptance Rate 73%
Undergraduates 7,741 students
Tuition $12,485
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#17 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $42,682
Average Debt $15,409
Program Size 35
Washington State University (WSU)
4 Year
Pullman, WA
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Washington State University (WSU), located in Pullman, WA has 35 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $42,682.
Acceptance Rate 80%
Undergraduates 7,038 students
Tuition $11,967
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#18 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $41,565
Average Debt $14,130
Program Size 64
Brown University
4 Year
Providence, RI
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Brown University , located in Providence, RI has 64 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $41,565.
Acceptance Rate 9%
Undergraduates 2,523 students
Tuition $49,346
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#19 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $41,193
Average Debt $29,351
Program Size 34
Michigan State University (MSU)
4 Year
East Lansing, MI
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Michigan State University (MSU), located in East Lansing, MI has 34 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $41,193.
Acceptance Rate 66%
Undergraduates 12,495 students
Tuition $13,560
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#20 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $40,485
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 23
Gettysburg College
4 Year
Gettysburg, PA
Gettysburg College, located in Gettysburg, PA has 23 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $40,485.
Acceptance Rate 40%
Undergraduates 578 students
Tuition $49,140
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#21 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $39,369
Average Debt $19,000
Program Size 97
College of William and Mary
4 Year
Williamsburg, VA
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College of William and Mary, located in Williamsburg, VA has 97 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $39,369.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 2,530 students
Tuition $19,372
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#22 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $39,009
Average Debt $13,666
Program Size 68
Northwestern University
4 Year
Evanston, IL
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Northwestern University, located in Evanston, IL has 68 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $39,009.
Acceptance Rate 13%
Undergraduates 7,290 students
Tuition $49,047
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#23 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $38,906
Average Debt $22,830
Program Size 204
Brandeis University
4 Year
Waltham, MA
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Brandeis University , located in Waltham, MA has 204 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $38,906.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 1,742 students
Tuition $49,598
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#24 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $38,289
Average Debt $15,945
Program Size 263
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
4 Year
Chapel Hill, NC
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), located in Chapel Hill, NC has 263 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $38,289.
Acceptance Rate 31%
Undergraduates 7,968 students
Tuition $8,591
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#25 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $37,208
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 65
University of Delaware (UD)
4 Year
Newark, DE
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University of Delaware (UD), located in Newark, DE has 65 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $37,208.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 5,285 students
Tuition $12,520
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#26 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $37,110
Average Debt $20,147
Program Size 155
Arizona State University-Downtown Phoenix (ASU)
4 Year
Phoenix, AZ
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Arizona State University-Downtown Phoenix (ASU), located in Phoenix, AZ has 155 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $37,110.
Acceptance Rate 78%
Undergraduates 3,240 students
Tuition $10,158
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#27 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $37,110
Average Debt $20,147
Program Size 45
Arizona State University-Skysong
4 Year
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona State University-Skysong, located in Scottsdale, AZ has 45 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $37,110.
Acceptance Rate 56%
Undergraduates 5,056 students
Tuition $8,565
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#28 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $36,848
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 94
University of Mississippi (UM)
4 Year
University, MS
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University of Mississippi (UM), located in University, MS has 94 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $36,848.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 5,660 students
Tuition $7,444
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#29 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $36,668
Average Debt $18,800
Program Size 59
University of Rhode Island (URI)
4 Year
Kingston, RI
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University of Rhode Island (URI), located in Kingston, RI has 59 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $36,668.
Acceptance Rate 74%
Undergraduates 3,868 students
Tuition $12,862
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#30 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $35,060
Average Debt $29,750
Program Size 121
Georgia State University
4 Year
Atlanta, GA
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Georgia State University, located in Atlanta, GA has 121 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $35,060.
Acceptance Rate 57%
Undergraduates 7,402 students
Tuition $8,974
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Other Major Rankings
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