2027 Best Public Policy Schools in Illinois
Public Policy degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best public policy schools.
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Best Schools for Public Policy in Illinois
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public policy degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Public Policy
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for public policy. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Chicago earn around $69,889 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,492.
See the full public policy program report for University Of Chicago
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for public policy. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 35 public policy degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Northwestern University earn around $48,558 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
Read more about the public policy program at Northwestern University
A rank of #3 makes Adler School Of Professional Psychology one of the top schools for public policy. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 32 public policy degrees were awarded at Adler School Of Professional Psychology in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Adler School Of Professional Psychology earn a median of $55,542 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in public policy from Adler School Of Professional Psychology
Depaul University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $52,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete this degree.
See the full public policy program report for Depaul University
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $35,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full public policy details for University Of Illinois At Chicago
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.