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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania

22 Ranked Colleges
330 Degrees Awarded
$34,100 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 6,430 people earned their degree in public policy, making the major the 113th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public policy graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $49,451 and had an average of $21,866 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 330 public policy graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,423 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public policy. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in public policy.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania

The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania public policy students.

Top 22 Most Focused Colleges for Public Policy in Pennsylvania

1
Gettysburg crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gettysburg College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Gettysburg College is a small school located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 29 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Public Policy at Gettysburg

2
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Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dickinson College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania. Dickinson College is a small school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania that handed out 16 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Dickinson College Public Policy Report

3
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Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington & Jefferson College. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania. This small school is located in Washington, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 5 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Public Policy at W&J

4
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Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carnegie Mellon University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 75 degrees to qualified ’s public policy students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University

5
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Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Susquehanna University. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania. This small school is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 6 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Policy at Susquehanna

6
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Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown College ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Etown is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 5 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Etown

7
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Delaware Valley University
Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Delaware Valley University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Delaware Valley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Policy at DelVal

8
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York College of Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania

York College of Pennsylvania came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. YCP is a small school located in York, Pennsylvania that handed out 6 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at YCP

9
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Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Duquesne University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #9. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 17 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Duquesne Public Policy Report

10
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Ursinus College
Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Ursinus College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #10. Ursinus is a small school located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania that handed out 2 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Public Policy at Ursinus

11
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Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Temple University is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 50 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Temple University Public Policy Report

12

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 33 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Pitt Public Policy Report

13
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. University of Pennsylvania is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 31 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at University of Pennsylvania

14
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Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chatham University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Chatham University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Public Policy at Chatham University

15
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Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Drexel

16
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Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

Waynesburg University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Waynesburg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at Waynesburg University

17
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Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Saint Joseph’s University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at Saint Joseph’s University

18
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University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania

University of Scranton did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #18. University of Scranton is a small school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania that handed out 0 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Scranton Public Policy Report

18
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Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Saint Vincent College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #18. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. It awarded 0 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Saint Vincent College

18
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Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Swarthmore College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #18. Swarthmore is a private not-for-profit institution located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Swarthmore College Public Policy Report

18
Cabrini University crest
Cabrini University
Radnor, Pennsylvania

Cabrini University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Cabrini University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Radnor, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Policy at Cabrini University

18
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University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg
Greensburg, Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Greensburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Public Policy Report

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