by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Policy](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-policy/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their public policy graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying public policy schools.
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.
Southern Methodist University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid public policy graduates in the Southwest Region. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career public policy graduates from Southern Methodist University make a median of around $77,862 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in public policy will find them at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Public Policy graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $84,462 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Arizona State University earned it the #3 place for public policy. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $62,990 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Arizona State University Skysong one of the highest-paying schools for public policy. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. After graduating, public policy degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong typically earn about $62,990 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at The University Of Texas At Dallas earned it the #5 place for public policy. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Students who complete the public policy program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,169.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #6 for public policy graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Public Policy graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $53,731 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries public policy graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 6 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.