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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying public policy schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose public policy graduates go on to earn the most.
Cornell University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying public policy schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public policy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $107,508.
Students chasing top earnings in public policy will find them at Princeton University, which ranked #2. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from Princeton University typically earn about $98,995 annually.
Hamilton College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public policy, landing the #3 spot this year. Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Students who complete the public policy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,158.
Suny Empire State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public policy schools. Suny Empire State College is a public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from Suny Empire State College typically earn about $52,614 annually.
St Marys College Of Maryland produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public policy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a public institution. Public Policy graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of about $64,347 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #6 position for public policy graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Public Policy graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $51,082 a year early in their careers.
University Of Delaware placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for public policy. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a public institution. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from University Of Delaware typically earn about $67,947 annually.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for public policy. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Public Policy graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $45,642 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 8 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.