2026 Best Public Policy Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public policy. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 62 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $97,034 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. More information about a degree in public policy from Johns Hopkins University

2

Duke University
Durham, NC

A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top schools for public policy. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 258 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Duke University earn a median of $72,813 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Read more about the public policy program at Duke University

3

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 79 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $77,906. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750. See the full public policy program report for Cornell University

4

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for public policy. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 17 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for University Of Pennsylvania

5

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 123 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,105. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for University Of California Berkeley

6

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 71 public policy students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $76,399 early in their careers. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for George Washington University

7

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #7 position for public policy this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 189 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $71,078 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. Get the full public policy details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

8

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 public policy degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Get the full public policy details for Stanford University

9

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University landed the #9 spot for public policy this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rice University awarded about 25 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904. See the full public policy program report for Rice University

10

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University landed the #10 spot for public policy this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 86 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $83,403. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Georgetown University

11

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #11 spot for public policy this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 170 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $87,444. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full public policy program report for Harvard University

12

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for public policy this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 175 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $66,078 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of California Los Angeles

13

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #13 for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 18 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $56,926 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

14

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for public policy this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 25 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in public policy from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

15

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 27 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $74,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Yale University

16

Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 77% of students finish within six years. Duquesne University awarded about 11 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $54,826. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Duquesne University

17

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #17 position for public policy this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 108 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $69,889 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Chicago

18

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #18 among the best public policy schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 123 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy 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. See the full public policy program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

19

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #19 position for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 126 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $48,252 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

20

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #20 position for public policy this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 64 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $48,383 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

21

American University
Washington, DC

American University placed #21 among the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. American University awarded about 98 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of American University earn a median of $67,929 early in their careers. American University graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at American University

22

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #22 among the best public policy schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Rowan University graduates 67% of students within six years. Rowan University awarded about 10 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $52,031 in their early career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Rowan University

23

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #23 spot for public policy this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 235 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $62,481 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. See the full public policy program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

24

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #24 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Boston University awarded about 11 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $63,598 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232. More information about a degree in public policy from Boston University

25

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 227 public policy degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $79,371. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Princeton University