by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 7 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Public Policy Master's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 536 master's degrees in public policy during the 2020-2021 academic year.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The public policy master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for public policy students working on their master's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Public Policy Master's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Fit new strategic skills into your public service passion and goals when you earn an MBA in Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in public policy.
University of California - Berkeley is a great option for students interested in a master's degree in public policy. Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - Berkeley
It is hard to beat University of Southern California if you wish to pursue a master's degree in public policy. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.
Students who graduate with their master's from the public policy program state that they receive average early career income of $52,304.
More information about a master’s in public policy from University of Southern California
University of California - Los Angeles is a great decision for students interested in a master's degree in public policy. UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Los Angeles.
Those public policy students who get their master's degree from University of California - Los Angeles earn $6,448 more than the typical public policy grad.
More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - Los Angeles
University of California - Irvine is a good option for students interested in a master's degree in public policy. Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a very large student population.
After graduating, public policy master's recipients usually earn around $51,313 in their early careers.
More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - Irvine
Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in public policy from Portland State University
UCR is a fairly large public university located in the city of Riverside.
Students who graduate with their master's from the public policy program state that they receive average early career wages of $44,142.
More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - Riverside
Pepperdine is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Malibu.
Students who graduate with their master's from the public policy program state that they receive average early career wages of $49,825.
More information about a master’s in public policy from Pepperdine University
Wazzu is a very large public university located in the distant town of Pullman.More information about a master’s in public policy from Washington State University
Mills is a private not-for-profit college located in the city of Oakland.
Soon after graduation, public policy master's recipients generally earn about $45,134 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a master’s in public policy from Mills CollegeLearn about other programs related to Public Policy that might interest you.
Explore the best public policy schools for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| California | 253 | 480 |
| Washington | 183 | 22 |
| Oregon | 158 | 34 |
| Nevada | 105 | 0 |
| Alaska | 52 | 0 |
One of 4 majors within the Public Administration & Social Service area of study, Public Policy has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Public Policy Analysis | 497 |
| Other Public Policy Analysis | 38 |
| Health Policy Analysis | 1 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 1,947 |
| Human Services | 146 |
| Other Public Administration | 24 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | 8 |
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