by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Policy](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a public policy degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their public policy graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send public policy graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #1 spot for highest-paid public policy graduates in California. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $116,708 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Los Angeles produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public policy, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $103,568 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in public policy will find them at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the public policy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $99,619.
Pepperdine University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public policy, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from Pepperdine University typically earn about $90,495 annually.
University Of California San Diego came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public policy schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from University Of California San Diego typically earn about $53,035 annually.
University Of California Riverside placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for public policy. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Riverside typically earn about $40,275 annually.
University Of California Irvine placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for public policy. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Public Policy graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $38,262 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their public policy graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.