by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 201 U.S. colleges awarded 6,226 degrees and certificates in Public Policy. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 55% of graduates. College Factual ranks 93 schools in its 2027 Best Public Policy Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $60,429 one year after completing, rising to $89,027 after four years.
A major in Public Policy allows you go behind the political scene to learn exactly how and why public policy decisions are made. You will learn how to analyze and form public policy decisions - giving you front row access to shape today's most important economic and social issues. The curriculum focuses on theory and history as well as a wide study of current social issues.
Between a broad array of analytical techniques and practical experience, a graduate with a Public Policy degree will be prepared to influence and change policy decisions. Be ready for a heavy course load in mathematics, as this major has a strong background in economics and statistics. Concentrations include: Education Policy Analysis, Health Policy Analysis, and International Policy Analysis.
Studying Public Policy covers Public Policy Analysis.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., public policy is a popular field of study, with 6,226 degrees awarded annually. 201 colleges award public policy degrees, an average of 31 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 284.
By level, the 6,226 awards include 4 certificates, 1 associate degrees, 2,547 bachelor’s degrees, 3,404 master’s degrees and 270 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of public policy degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,971 of 6,226). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,000) and Hispanic or Latino (838), and international students earned 725.
College Factual ranks 93 schools in its 2027 Best Public Policy Schools ranking, including 42 for bachelor’s degrees, 69 for master’s degrees and 9 for doctorates. It also ranks public policy schools within 28 states. In all, 201 colleges offer public policy programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Public Policy Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common public policy credential is the master’s degree: 3,404 of the 6,226 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to public policy call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Law and Government, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
This is a major for those that are intellectual and curious and never take anything at face-value. A public policy analyst is interested in getting to the root of how all things work, questioning the given information, and analyzing the data. Being able to accurately interpret data is essential to this field, and strong mathematical skills are needed.
Students should also be interested in politics and have good quality people skills. You will be required to work in teams, give presentations, resolve conflicts, write for multiple audiences and engage in political networking.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a public policy degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 4 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,547 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,404 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 270 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to public policy, at 72.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 72.8% |
| Master’s degree | 12.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.1% |
| Some college courses | 0.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to Public Policy, with an average median salary of $79,422; the strongest outlook belongs to Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 11.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Professor, Faculty Member, College Professor and Adjunct Instructor.
A career in public policy analysis can go in two different directions. Graduates can work producing policy analysis for formal research projects, collecting, analyzing, and summarizing their findings from primary data. A second group of jobs involves those who use analysis and research to apply the information into their policy process.
Within these two categories is an array of job titles: political scientists, economists, sociologists, lawyers, urban planners, or natural scientists, among other things. Graduates find work in many large public and private bodies, government agencies, national governance organizations, corporations, think tanks, and consultancy firms. No matter the job title, these people shape society through analyzing research.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to public policy, at 1,638,816.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 419,330 | 8.8% |
| Political Scientists | 202,741 | 5.4% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
| Legislators | 112,588 | 8.5% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
Public Policy graduates earn a median $60,429 one year after completing their program, $89,027 after four years and $95,174 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,429 |
| 4 years | $89,027 |
| 5 years | $95,174 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to public policy is Legislators, with a median salary of $167,600.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Legislators | $167,600 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Political Scientists | $71,521 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,472 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
Public Policy includes 5 concentrations that together award 6,226 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Public Policy Analysis, General (5,385), Health Policy Analysis (382) and International Policy Analysis (270). It has 5 similar majors in the Public & Social Service field, which together award 87,814 degrees a year; the largest are Social Work (58,123), Public Administration (13,879) and PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS (12,294). Browse all Public & Social Service majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Policy Analysis, General | 5,385 |
| Health Policy Analysis | 382 |
| International Policy Analysis | 270 |
| Education Policy Analysis | 107 |
| Public Policy Analysis, Other | 82 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 58,123 |
| Public Administration | 13,879 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS | 12,294 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 3,027 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 491 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
