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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Public Policy Analysis Master’s Degree Schools

31 Colleges in the United States
2,397 General Public Policy Analysis Degrees Awarded
$62,304 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Public Policy Analysis programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general public policy analysis programs.

College Factual analyzed 200 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general public policy analysis schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Public Policy Analysis in the United States

Below are the best general public policy analysis schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in General Public Policy Analysis

1

Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, our #1 school for general public policy analysis. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 49 general public policy analysis degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $97,034. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. See the full general public policy analysis program report for Johns Hopkins University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for general public policy analysis. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 119 general public policy analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public policy analysis program make about $88,105 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree. See the full general public policy analysis program report for University Of California Berkeley

3

George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general public policy analysis, ranking #3. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. George Washington University awarded about 61 general public policy analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $76,399. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Read more about the general public policy analysis program at George Washington University

4
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Students looking for a strong general public policy analysis program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 113 general public policy analysis degrees in the most recent data year. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Duke University earn a median of $85,125 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Read more about the general public policy analysis program at Duke University

5
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general public policy analysis schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 31 general public policy analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public policy analysis degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general public policy analysis from Stanford University

6

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #6 spot for general public policy analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 91 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public policy analysis degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $71,078 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. See the full general public policy analysis program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

7
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #7 for general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 156 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $87,444. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Read more about the general public policy analysis program at Harvard University

8
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #8 for general public policy analysis this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 86 general public policy analysis degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $83,403 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree. See the full general public policy analysis program report for Georgetown University

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #9 among the best general public policy analysis schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public policy analysis degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $56,926 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958. Get the full general public policy analysis details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

10

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for general public policy analysis this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 63 general public policy analysis degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $66,078. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. Get the full general public policy analysis details for University Of California Los Angeles

11

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 25 general public policy analysis degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the general public policy analysis program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

12

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general public policy analysis schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 113 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $71,723. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree. Get the full general public policy analysis details for The University Of Texas At Austin

13
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general public policy analysis schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. American University awarded about 97 general public policy analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from American University generally make around $67,929. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. See the full general public policy analysis program report for American University

14

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #14 among the best general public policy analysis schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 29 general public policy analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public policy analysis program make about $48,383 in their early career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. See the full general public policy analysis program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

15

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #15 position for general public policy analysis this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $48,252. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general public policy analysis details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

16

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #16 for general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 123 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public policy analysis degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $75,277 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general public policy analysis details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

17

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #17 spot for general public policy analysis this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 10 general public policy analysis degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree. Read more about the general public policy analysis program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

18

George Mason University came in at #18 for general public policy analysis this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 80 general public policy analysis degrees in the most recent data year. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $74,616 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about the general public policy analysis program at George Mason University

19
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #19 position for general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 92 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public policy analysis degree from Princeton University earn around $85,111 in the first couple years of their career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,527 in student loans. Read more about the general public policy analysis program at Princeton University

20
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University landed the #20 spot for general public policy analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 10 general public policy analysis degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general public policy analysis program make about $68,154 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. More information about a degree in general public policy analysis from Tufts University

21

University Of Southern California came in at #21 for general public policy analysis this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 47 general public policy analysis degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general public policy analysis degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $64,952. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general public policy analysis from University Of Southern California

22

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general public policy analysis schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 98 general public policy analysis degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the general public policy analysis program make about $65,892 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full general public policy analysis program report for University Of Maryland College Park

23

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #23 spot for general public policy analysis this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 62 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general public policy analysis program make about $61,239 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. More information about a degree in general public policy analysis from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

24
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #24 for general public policy analysis this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 10 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general public policy analysis degree from Lehigh University earn around $70,321 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008. Get the full general public policy analysis details for Lehigh University

25

Washington University In St Louis landed the #25 spot for general public policy analysis this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 15 general public policy analysis students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. General Public Policy Analysis graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553. More information about a degree in general public policy analysis from Washington University In St Louis

Rest of the Top 50 General Public Policy Analysis Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general public policy analysis education:

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28
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
29
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
30
31
32
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
33
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
34
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL
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46
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
47
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50

Other General Public Policy Analysis Degree Levels

Explore the best general public policy analysis schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Public Policy Analysis
Associate's Degrees in General Public Policy Analysis
Bachelor's Degrees in General Public Policy Analysis
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View All General Public Policy Analysis Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 200 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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