2026 Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

No school ranked higher than Johns Hopkins University this year for public policy. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $97,034. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for Johns Hopkins University

2

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Cornell University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 79 public policy degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $77,906. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for Cornell University

3

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for University Of Pennsylvania

4

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #4 spot this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 public policy students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $76,399. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at George Washington University

5

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 86 public policy degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Public Policy 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 public policy program report for Georgetown University

6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #6 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 18 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

7

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 25 public policy degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. More information about a degree in public policy from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

8

Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University landed the #8 spot for public policy this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 11 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Duquesne University earn around $54,826 in the first couple years of their career. Duquesne University graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for Duquesne University

9

American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 public policy students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $67,929 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. More information about a degree in public policy from American University

10

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University earned the #10 position for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 10 public policy degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Rowan University

11

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 227 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $79,371 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,527. More information about a degree in public policy from Princeton University

12

Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College came in at #12 for public policy this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 18 public policy degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $56,158. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Hamilton College

13

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #13 spot for public policy this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 78% of students finish within six years. Drexel University awarded about 10 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Drexel University

14

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 216 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $55,767 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for University Of Maryland College Park

15

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #15 for public policy 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%. Lehigh University awarded about 10 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $70,321 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for Lehigh University

16

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #16 position for public policy this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Maryland Baltimore County awarded about 19 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Typical student debt for the program is $21,331. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Maryland Baltimore County

17

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for public policy this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 21 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Typical student debt for the program is $27,491. Get the full public policy details for Rochester Institute Of Technology

18

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University earned the #18 position for public policy this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 61 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,910 early in their careers. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Temple University

19

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Stony Brook University awarded about 22 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Stony Brook University earn around $54,079 in the first couple years of their career. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for Stony Brook University

20

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #20 for public policy this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $36,796 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,336. See the full public policy program report for University Of Delaware

21

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Suny At Albany

22

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #22 position for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 48 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $56,320 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

23

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College came in at #23 for public policy this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. About 36% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 61 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Suny Empire State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $52,614. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $25,239 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for Suny Empire State College

24

Teachers College At Columbia University
New York, NY

Teachers College At Columbia University placed #24 among the best public policy schools. Set in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 26 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Teachers College At Columbia University earn around $56,168 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full public policy details for Teachers College At Columbia University

25

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden came in at #25 for public policy this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Camden. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 19 public policy degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $61,558 early in their careers. Rutgers University Camden graduates carry a median of $24,577 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Rutgers University Camden