by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 16 U.S. colleges awarded 107 degrees and certificates in Education Policy Analysis. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 77% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Education Policy Analysis 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 Education Policy Analysis explores Education Policy Analysis. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Analysis Of Public Policy Issues Related To Education And Educational Systems At The Local, State, National, And International Levels. Includes Instruction In Social And Cultural Issues In Education, Contemporary Educational Policies, History Of Education, Economics Of Education, International And Comparative Education, Education And Social Change, Educational Research And Evaluation Methods, And Applications To Specific Public Policy Topics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, education policy analysis draws strong interest, with 107 degrees awarded annually. 16 colleges award education policy analysis degrees, an average of 7 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 28.
By level, the 107 awards include 10 bachelor’s degrees, 82 master’s degrees and 15 doctorates.
Women earned 81% of education policy analysis degrees and certificates in the latest year (87 of 107). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (58) and Hispanic or Latino (17), and international students earned 4.
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Education Policy Analysis Schools ranking, including 3 for master’s degrees. It also ranks education policy analysis schools within 1 state. In all, 16 colleges offer education policy analysis programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Education Policy Analysis Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common education policy analysis credential is the master’s degree: 82 of the 107 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to education policy analysis call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Sociology and Anthropology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an education policy analysis degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 82 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 15 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to education policy analysis, at 87.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 87.5% |
| Master’s degree | 8.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Education Policy Analysis, with an average median salary of $59,891; the strongest outlook belongs to Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 11.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Lecturer, Instructor, College Professor and Adjunct Instructor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to education policy analysis, 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% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
Education Policy Analysis 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 education policy analysis is Education Teachers, Postsecondary, with a median salary of $98,329.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,472 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $41,630 |
Education Policy Analysis has 4 similar majors in the Public & Social Service field, which together award 6,119 degrees a year; the largest are Public Policy Analysis, General (5,385), Health Policy Analysis (382) and International Policy Analysis (270). Browse all Public & Social Service majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Policy Analysis, General | 5,385 |
| Health Policy Analysis | 382 |
| International Policy Analysis | 270 |
| Public Policy Analysis, Other | 82 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
