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2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

34 Ranked Colleges
242 Degrees Awarded
$30,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 242 public policy graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer a degree in public policy. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public policy programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Policy Schools

The public policy school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree public policy students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Policy (With Aid)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at Harvard

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#13 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public policy degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public policy students with aid list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Public Policy Report

#3

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Princeton University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Princeton is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Princeton, New Jersey. It awarded 2 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public policy students with aid list, Princeton has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public policy students with aid list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of California - Berkeley

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #5 spot on the list. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 4 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Austin Public Policy Report

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#22 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public policy students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at IU Bloomington

#17 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at The University of Texas at Dallas

#9 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public policy degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public policy students with aid list, U-M has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Full U-M Public Policy Report

#9

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#11 in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Maryland - College Park is a large public school situated in College Park, Maryland. It awarded 6 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at UMCP

#10

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

George Mason University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Mason University are $37,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Policy at George Mason University

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. UNLV is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNLV are $21,962.

Full UNLV Public Policy Report

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IUPUI Public Policy Report

#13

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Portland State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Portland State University also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Portland State University are $23,784.

Read full report on Public Policy at Portland State University

#14

University of Southern Maine

Portland, Maine
#21 in overall quality

University of Southern Maine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, Maine and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

University of Southern Maine also made our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Maine are $22,308.

Full University of Southern Maine Public Policy Report

#15

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. University of Massachusetts - Boston is a fairly large public school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 15 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Boston also took the #16 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Massachusetts - Boston are $36,485.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of Massachusetts - Boston

#16

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York
#19 in overall quality

Niagara University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Niagara is a small school located in Niagara University, New York that handed out 13 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Niagara, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Niagara University are $14,893.

Read more about Public Policy at Niagara

#23 in overall quality

University of Maryland - Baltimore County did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. University of Maryland - Baltimore County is a fairly large public school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 5 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UMBC also took the #23 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - Baltimore County are $21,078.

Full University of Maryland - Baltimore County Public Policy Report

#18

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas

With a ranking of #18, University of Arkansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and it awarded 4 doctorate’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 UARK are $22,121.

Full University of Arkansas Public Policy Report

#19

Rutgers University - Camden

Camden, New Jersey

Rutgers University - Camden landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Rutgers University - Camden is a medium-sized school located in Camden, New Jersey that handed out 2 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers University - Camden are $31,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Rutgers Camden Public Policy Report

#20

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, Rhode Island
#20 in overall quality

University of Rhode Island landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Rhode Island is a fairly large public school situated in Kingston, Rhode Island. It awarded 3 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public policy students with aid list, URI has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at URI are $29,082, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Rhode Island Public Policy Report

#21

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNC Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are $21,055.

Read more about Public Policy at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

#22

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho

Boise State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Boise State is located in Boise, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boise State are $26,566.

Full Boise State University Public Policy Report

#23

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

Duke University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Duke University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 1 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at Duke University

#24

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#15 in overall quality

Clemson University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Clemson University is located in Clemson, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson are $23,246, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at Clemson University

#25

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public policy degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UofM are $14,202, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Memphis Public Policy Report

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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