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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Policy Schools in Pennsylvania

2 Colleges in the United States
152 Public Policy Degrees Awarded
$67,370 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Policy is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best public policy schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Public Policy in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public policy education in Pennsylvania.

Top Schools in Public Policy

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public policy. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 17 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $99,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for University Of Pennsylvania

2

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #2. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. 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. Public Policy graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. See the full public policy program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Duquesne University, which ranked #4. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne University 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. Read more about the public policy program at Duquesne University

5
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #5. 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. There were roughly 10 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Drexel University

6
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University earned the #6 position for public policy this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Lehigh University

7
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #7 spot for public policy this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Temple University awarded about 61 public policy degrees 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. Get the full public policy details for Temple University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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