2026 Best Public Policy Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in public policy. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 123 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,105. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238. See the full public policy program report for University Of California Berkeley

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 44 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in public policy from Stanford University

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for public policy. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 175 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $66,078 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for University Of California Los Angeles

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Long Beach one of the top schools for public policy. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 12 public policy degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. Get the full public policy details for California State University Long Beach

5

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 10 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College came in at #6 for public policy this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 93% of students finish within six years. Pomona College awarded about 19 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. See the full public policy program report for Pomona College

7

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #7 spot for public policy this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 191 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $61,605 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Southern California

8

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #8 spot for public policy this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates 50% of students within six years. About 12 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Typical student debt for the program is $21,181. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Nevada Las Vegas

9

University Of California Hastings College Of Law
San Francisco, CA

University Of California Hastings College Of Law earned the #9 position for public policy this year. This small public university is located in the city of San Francisco. There were roughly 16 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Hastings College Of Law in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of California Hastings College Of Law earn around $90,386 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full public policy details for University Of California Hastings College Of Law

10

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University earned the #10 position for public policy this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Pepperdine University awarded about 27 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $63,804 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Pepperdine University

11

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #11 among the best public policy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 67 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $53,035 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of California San Diego

12

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #12 for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 103 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $40,071 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,161. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of California Riverside

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #13 for public policy this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 15 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,262. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539. Read more about the public policy program at University Of California Irvine

14

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University earned the #14 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oregon State University awarded about 43 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $60,750 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,043. See the full public policy program report for Oregon State University