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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#46 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 26
University of Denver (DU)
4 Year
Denver, CO
Video Rating
University of Denver (DU), located in Denver, CO has 26 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 73%
Undergraduates 3,830 students
Tuition $44,178
0
4.0
My GPA
#47 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 25
Ohio State University-Main Campus
4 Year
Columbus, OH
Ohio State University-Main Campus, located in Columbus, OH has 25 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 15,025 students
Tuition N/A
0
4.0
My GPA
#48 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 25
Ohio State University - Main Campus (OSU)
4 Year
Columbus, OH
Video Rating
Ohio State University - Main Campus (OSU), located in Columbus, OH has 25 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 15,025 students
Tuition $10,037
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4.0
My GPA
#49 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 22
University of Pennsylvania
4 Year
Philadelphia, PA
Video Rating
University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, PA has 22 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 10%
Undergraduates 7,701 students
Tuition $49,536
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4.0
My GPA
#50 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 21
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
4 Year
Pittsburgh, PA
Video Rating
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), located in Pittsburgh, PA has 21 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 24%
Undergraduates 4,543 students
Tuition $50,665
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4.0
My GPA
#51 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt $35,546
Program Size 20
Saint Peter's University
4 Year
Jersey City, NJ
Saint Peter's University, located in Jersey City, NJ has 20 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 873 students
Tuition $34,198
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4.0
My GPA
#52 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 16
University of Southern California (USC)
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Video Rating
University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, CA has 16 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 18%
Undergraduates 14,672 students
Tuition $50,277
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4.0
My GPA
#53 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 12
Mills College
4 Year
Oakland, CA
Mills College, located in Oakland, CA has 12 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 395 students
Tuition $44,258
0
4.0
My GPA
#54 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 12
Central Washington University
4 Year
Ellensburg, WA
Central Washington University, located in Ellensburg, WA has 12 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 82%
Undergraduates 2,803 students
Tuition $8,688
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4.0
My GPA
#55 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 11
Bentley University
4 Year
Waltham, MA
Bentley University, located in Waltham, MA has 11 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 42%
Undergraduates 1,656 students
Tuition $44,085
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4.0
My GPA
#56 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 10
Bennington College
4 Year
Bennington, VT
Bennington College, located in Bennington, VT has 10 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 167 students
Tuition $48,220
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4.0
My GPA
#57 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 9
University of Illinois at Chicago
4 Year
Chicago, IL
Video Rating
University of Illinois at Chicago, located in Chicago, IL has 9 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 7,334 students
Tuition $13,664
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4.0
My GPA
#58 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 8
Scripps College
4 Year
Claremont, CA
Video Rating
Scripps College, located in Claremont, CA has 8 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 28%
Undergraduates 253 students
Tuition $49,152
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4.0
My GPA
#59 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 8
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
4 Year
Middletown, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg, located in Middletown, PA has 8 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 85%
Undergraduates 978 students
Tuition $14,610
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4.0
My GPA
#60 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 6
Pitzer College
4 Year
Claremont, CA
Video Rating
Pitzer College, located in Claremont, CA has 6 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 13%
Undergraduates 252 students
Tuition $48,670
0
4.0
My GPA
Other Major Rankings
Best Public Policy Programs by State
Most Popular Major Rankings