2026 Best Public Policy Schools in the Southeast Region

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. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 258 public policy degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Duke University earn around $72,813 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Duke University

2

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 189 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $71,078 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. See the full public policy program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 126 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,252 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 64 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. Get the full public policy details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

5

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for public policy. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 89 public policy students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $74,616 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Get the full public policy details for George Mason University

6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #6 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 50 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,468 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

7

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #7 for public policy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 19 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $60,174 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Vanderbilt University

8

Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University came in at #8 for public policy this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 public policy degrees were awarded at Jacksonville University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $72,608. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at Jacksonville University

9

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary came in at #9 for public policy this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 public policy degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $36,703. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at College Of William And Mary

10

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #10 for public policy this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $40,259. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Mississippi Main Campus

11

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky earned the #11 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 26 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $49,568 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for University Of Kentucky

12

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #12 for public policy this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the town of Charles Town. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 17 public policy degrees were awarded at American Public University System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from American Public University System

13

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #13 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Liberty University awarded about 118 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $58,353. Typical student debt for the program is $27,414. Get the full public policy details for Liberty University

14

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University came in at #14 for public policy this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. There were roughly 12 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Tennessee State University

15

Southern University And A And M College
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University And A And M College earned the #15 position for public policy this year. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Southern University And A And M College graduates 27% of students within six years. About 21 public policy degrees were awarded at Southern University And A And M College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Southern University And A And M College generally make around $45,304. Southern University And A And M College graduates carry a median of $33,288 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Southern University And A And M College

16

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University landed the #16 spot for public policy this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 35 public policy degrees were awarded at Georgia State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Georgia State University earn around $42,215 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750. See the full public policy program report for Georgia State University

17

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #17 among the best public policy schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 27 public policy degrees were awarded at Regent University in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Regent University earn a median of $38,546 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for Regent University

18

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Marshall University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Marshall University