2026 Best Public Policy Schools in the New England Region

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public policy. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 170 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $87,444 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at Harvard University

2

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. Get the full public policy details for Yale University

3

Boston University
Boston, MA

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 public policy degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Boston University

4

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 10 public policy degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. Read more about the public policy program at Tufts University

5

Trinity College
Hartford, CT

Trinity College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Hartford. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 44 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Trinity College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Trinity College generally make around $54,296. Students borrow a median of $23,161 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Trinity College

6

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University placed #6 among the best public policy schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $59,863 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,345 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for Brown University

7

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 43 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $33,424. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $25,964 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for University Of Connecticut

8

Suffolk University
Boston, MA

Suffolk University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Suffolk University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 10 public policy degrees were awarded at Suffolk University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $57,261 in their early career. Suffolk University graduates carry a median of $26,670 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Suffolk University

9

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #9 among the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 23 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $52,885 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Massachusetts Boston

10

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #10 position for public policy this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth awarded about 36 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $67,722. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

11

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University earned the #11 position for public policy this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waltham. Brandeis University graduates 86% of students within six years. Brandeis University awarded about 136 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $52,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Brandeis University

12

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #12 spot for public policy this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $52,475. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

13

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 34 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $50,929. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

14

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island came in at #14 for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $38,868 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. See the full public policy program report for University Of Rhode Island

15

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine earned the #15 position for public policy this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Portland. University Of Southern Maine graduates 40% of students within six years. University Of Southern Maine awarded about 29 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Southern Maine earn around $51,576 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Southern Maine