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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#1 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $69,897
Average Debt $12,862
Program Size 131
Cornell University
4 Year
Ithaca, NY
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Cornell University , located in Ithaca, NY has 131 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $69,897.
Acceptance Rate 15%
Undergraduates 7,129 students
Tuition $49,116
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#2 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $62,012
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 223
Princeton University
4 Year
Princeton, NJ
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Princeton University , located in Princeton, NJ has 223 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $62,012.
Acceptance Rate 7%
Undergraduates 2,268 students
Tuition $43,450
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#3 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $60,106
Average Debt $8,939
Program Size 415
Duke University
4 Year
Durham, NC
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Duke University, located in Durham, NC has 415 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $60,106.
Acceptance Rate 11%
Undergraduates 5,600 students
Tuition $49,241
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#4 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $57,318
Average Debt $14,094
Program Size 61
Vanderbilt University
4 Year
Nashville, TN
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Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, TN has 61 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $57,318.
Acceptance Rate 12%
Undergraduates 3,880 students
Tuition $44,712
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#5 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $55,512
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 66
Rice University
4 Year
Houston, TX
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Rice University, located in Houston, TX has 66 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $55,512.
Acceptance Rate 16%
Undergraduates 2,034 students
Tuition $42,253
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#6 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $55,338
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 31
Dickinson College
4 Year
Carlisle, PA
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Dickinson College, located in Carlisle, PA has 31 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $55,338.
Acceptance Rate 47%
Undergraduates 530 students
Tuition $49,489
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#7 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $52,663
Average Debt $15,834
Program Size 220
University of Chicago
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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University of Chicago, located in Chicago, IL has 220 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $52,663.
Acceptance Rate 8%
Undergraduates 4,896 students
Tuition $51,351
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#8 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $50,856
Average Debt $21,000
Program Size 65
Trinity College
4 Year
Hartford, CT
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Trinity College, located in Hartford, CT has 65 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $50,856.
Acceptance Rate 33%
Undergraduates 610 students
Tuition $50,776
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#9 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $50,856
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 29
Hamilton College
4 Year
Clinton, NY
Hamilton College, located in Clinton, NY has 29 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $50,856.
Acceptance Rate 25%
Undergraduates 508 students
Tuition $49,500
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#10 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $47,260
Average Debt $12,750
Program Size 150
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
4 Year
Ann Arbor, MI
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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, located in Ann Arbor, MI has 150 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $47,260.
Acceptance Rate 26%
Undergraduates 12,698 students
Tuition $13,856
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#11 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $47,260
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 42
St. Mary's College of Maryland
4 Year
St. Mary's City, MD
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St. Mary's College of Maryland, located in St. Mary's City, MD has 42 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $47,260.
Acceptance Rate 79%
Undergraduates 444 students
Tuition $13,895
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#12 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $46,478
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 33
Hobart William Smith Colleges
4 Year
Geneva, NY
Hobart William Smith Colleges, located in Geneva, NY has 33 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $46,478.
Acceptance Rate 56%
Undergraduates 538 students
Tuition $49,677
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#13 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $46,478
Average Debt $27,500
Program Size 28
Mount Saint Mary's University
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
Mount Saint Mary's University, located in Los Angeles, CA has 28 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $46,478.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 853 students
Tuition $35,944
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#14 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $45,852
Average Debt $14,000
Program Size 74
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
4 Year
Dallas, TX
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Southern Methodist University (SMU), located in Dallas, TX has 74 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $45,852.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 3,643 students
Tuition $48,190
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#15 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $43,798
Average Debt $21,130
Program Size 19
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
4 Year
Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, located in Blacksburg, VA has 19 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $43,798.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 7,741 students
Tuition N/A
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