2026 Best Public Policy Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for public policy. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duke University awarded about 142 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $60,501 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Get the full public policy details for Duke University

2

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 98 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $71,078 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Virginia Main Campus

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. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 74 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $77,906 in their early career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Cornell University

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 13 public policy degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Stanford University

5

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #5 spot this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 25 public policy degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Rice University

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 112 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. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at University Of California Los Angeles

7

Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University placed #7 among the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $54,826 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for Duquesne University

8

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #8 for public policy this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Chicago earn around $60,057 in the first couple years of their career. 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

9

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #9 for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 87 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy 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. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

10

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #10 spot for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 30 public policy degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $48,383 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

11

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #11 for public policy this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Princeton University awarded about 130 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $73,630 in their early career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,527 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at Princeton University

12

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #12 for public policy this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $49,685 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

13

Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College earned the #13 position for public policy this year. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Hamilton College awarded about 18 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Hamilton College earn around $56,158 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Hamilton College

14

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 23 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $50,643. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500. More information about a degree in public policy from Ohio State University Main Campus

15

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College landed the #15 spot for public policy this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 19 public policy degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Pomona College earn around $75,954 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full public policy details for Pomona College

16

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #16 spot for public policy this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 93 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $45,642. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Maryland College Park

17

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #17 spot for public policy this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 40 public policy degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Northwestern University earn around $48,558 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Northwestern University

18

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 97 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $52,403. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for University Of Southern California

19

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #19 for public policy this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 48 public policy degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,468. Get the full public policy details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

20

Trinity College
Hartford, CT

Trinity College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 37 public policy degrees were awarded at Trinity College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $56,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,161 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at Trinity College

21

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #21 spot for public policy this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $57,023 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for Vanderbilt University

22

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #22 spot for public policy this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 96 public policy degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Arizona State University earn around $49,753 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,341 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at Arizona State University

23

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University placed #23 among the best public policy schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $40,434 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,615. See the full public policy program report for Southern Methodist University

24

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. About 24 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Delaware earn around $36,796 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,336. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Delaware

25

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary landed the #25 spot for public policy this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 public policy students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $36,703 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the public policy program at College Of William And Mary