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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Policy (Income $75-$110k)

74 Ranked Colleges
3,160 Degrees Awarded
$39,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master's For Those Making $75-$110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Public Policy is the 116th most popular major in the country with 6,199 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public policy graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $52,077 and had an average of $35,743 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 3,160 public policy graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 74 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public policy. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public policy programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public policy program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Policy (Income $75-$110k)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 228 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654.

Read full report on Public Policy at Harvard

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 23 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read more about Public Policy at Stanford

#3

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey

Out of the 74 schools in the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Princeton University landed the #3 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 96 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470.

Full Princeton Public Policy Report

#4

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 337 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of Chicago

#5

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public policy degrees to 67 students in 2019-2020.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140.

Full Duke Public Policy Report

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 105 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree public policy students whose families make $75-$110k list, U-M has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#7

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 25 degrees to qualified masters’s public policy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree public policy students whose families make $75-$110k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624.

Read full report on Public Policy at Vanderbilt University

#8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 27 masters’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425.

Read full report on Public Policy at Johns Hopkins University

University of California - Berkeley ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 126 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at UC Berkeley

#10

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 58 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at UCLA

#11

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

William & Mary also took the #21 spot in our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at William & Mary

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 117 degrees to qualified masters’s public policy students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at The University of Texas at Austin

#13

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island

Brown University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #13. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public policy degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brown, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at Brown

#14

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 75 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also took the #15 spot in our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Policy at University of Virginia - Main Campus

Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. BYU is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 6 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510.

Read full report on Public Policy at Brigham Young University - Provo

#16

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public policy degrees to 177 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgetown, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Georgetown University Public Policy Report

#17

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 81 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at UMN Twin Cities

#18

Trinity College

Hartford, Connecticut

With a ranking of #18, Trinity College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Trinity Bantams is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hartford, Connecticut. It awarded 10 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Trinity Bantams, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Trinity Bantams are $17,830, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Trinity College Public Policy Report

#19

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at U of U are $24,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Utah Public Policy Report

#20

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#24 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Washington University in St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

WUSTL also made our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Washington University in St Louis Public Policy Report

#21

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Maryland - College Park is a large public school situated in College Park, Maryland. It awarded 72 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree public policy students whose families make $75-$110k list, UMCP has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Policy at UMCP

#22

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 9 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Policy at UNI

#23

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 1 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#24

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 69 masters’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU also made our “Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410.

Read full report on Public Policy at George Mason University

#25

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Marshall University is located in Huntington, West Virginia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marshall University are $21,162, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at Marshall University

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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