2026 Best Public Policy Schools in California

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for public policy. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 123 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $88,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at University Of California Berkeley

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 44 public policy degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Stanford University

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #3. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 175 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $66,078 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for University Of California Los Angeles

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 public policy students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for California State University Long Beach

5

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 10 public policy degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273. Get the full public policy details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College placed #6 among the best public policy schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Pomona College graduates 93% of students within six years. Pomona College awarded about 19 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. See the full public policy program report for Pomona College

7

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #7 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. There were roughly 191 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Southern California earn around $61,605 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for University Of Southern California

8

University Of California Hastings College Of Law
San Francisco, CA

University Of California Hastings College Of Law earned the #8 position for public policy this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of California Hastings College Of Law is a small public university. About 16 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of California Hastings College Of Law in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Hastings College Of Law generally make around $90,386. Read more about the public policy program at University Of California Hastings College Of Law

9

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University earned the #9 position for public policy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $63,804 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,645. See the full public policy program report for Pepperdine University

10

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #10 among the best public policy schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 67 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $53,035. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at University Of California San Diego

11

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #11 among the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 103 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,071. Typical student debt for the program is $19,161. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of California Riverside

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #12 position for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $38,262 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for University Of California Irvine