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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Public Policy in Pennsylvania

22 Ranked Colleges
330 Degrees Awarded
$34,100 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Public Policy is the 113th most popular major in the country with 6,430 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.

For this year’s “Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in public policy. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in public policy.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 “Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania”.

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. 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.

Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania”.

1
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carnegie Mellon University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Public Policy Report

2
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Temple University. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 50 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Public Policy at Temple

3

Out of the 22 schools in the Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Pitt is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 33 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at Pitt

4
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Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Out of the 22 schools in the Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Gettysburg College landed the #4 spot on the list. Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Gettysburg Public Policy Report

5
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania. UPenn is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 31 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of Pennsylvania

6
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Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Duquesne University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Public Policy at Duquesne

6
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Drexel University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 18 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 full report on Public Policy at Drexel

8
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dickinson College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Carlisle, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Dickinson

9
Susquehanna crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. This small school is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 6 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Full Susquehanna Public Policy Report

9

York College of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. YCP is a small private not-for-profit school situated in York, Pennsylvania. It awarded 6 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at York College of Pennsylvania

11
Etown crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. Etown is located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Elizabethtown College Public Policy Report

11
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Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, Pennsylvania

Washington & Jefferson College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Washington, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Public Policy at Washington & Jefferson College

13
DelVal crest
Delaware Valley University
Doylestown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, Delaware Valley University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. 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 Delaware Valley University

14
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Ursinus College
Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Ursinus College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Full Ursinus College Public Policy Report

14
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Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chatham University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #14. Chatham University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Chatham University

16
Waynesburg crest
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

Waynesburg University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Waynesburg University is located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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 full report on Public Policy at Waynesburg University

16
St. Joe's crest
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #16, Saint Joseph’s University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. St. Joe’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 more about Public Policy at St. Joe’s

18

University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg is a small school located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 0 ’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%.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Public Policy Report

18
Cabrini University crest
Cabrini University
Radnor, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #18, Cabrini University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. This small school is located in Radnor, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 0 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Public Policy at Cabrini University

18
Saint Vincent crest
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #18, Saint Vincent College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Saint Vincent College is located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 full report on Public Policy at Saint Vincent

18
University of Scranton crest
University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania

University of Scranton did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #18. University of Scranton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 0 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of Scranton

18
Swarthmore crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #18, Swarthmore College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Public Policy Major in Pennsylvania list. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. It awarded 0 ’s public policy degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at Swarthmore

Notes and References

References

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