2026 Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

No school ranked higher than Johns Hopkins University this year for public policy. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 public policy degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $97,034 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for Johns Hopkins University

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 122 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of California Berkeley

3

George Washington University
Washington, DC

A rank of #3 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for public policy. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 61 public policy students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $76,399 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. Get the full public policy details for George Washington University

4

Duke University
Durham, NC

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 113 public policy degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $85,125. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Duke University

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $100,827 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Stanford University

6

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #6 spot for public policy this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 91 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $71,078. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

7

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #7 position for public policy this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Harvard University awarded about 168 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Harvard University earn around $87,444 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at Harvard University

8

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University landed the #8 spot for public policy this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 86 public policy degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Georgetown University earn around $83,403 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. More information about a degree in public policy from Georgetown University

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #9 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 18 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $56,926 in their early career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

10

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #10 for public policy this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 63 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $66,078 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. Get the full public policy details for University Of California Los Angeles

11

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 25 public policy degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the public policy program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

12

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #12 among the best public policy schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 27 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. See the full public policy program report for Yale University

13

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #13 position for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 113 public policy students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $71,723. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

14

American University
Washington, DC

American University landed the #14 spot for public policy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 97 public policy degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $67,929 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. See the full public policy program report for American University

15

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $48,383. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. Get the full public policy details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

16

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #16 for public policy this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 32 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,252 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

17

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #17 among the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 123 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $75,277. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. See the full public policy program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

18

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #18 position for public policy this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Boston University earn around $63,598 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at Boston University

19

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #19 among the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 public policy students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $50,982 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for California State University Long Beach

20

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #20 for public policy this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 10 public policy students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $61,010 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

21

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #21 spot for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 82 public policy degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from George Mason University earn around $74,616 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at George Mason University

22

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 92 public policy degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $85,111 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Princeton University

23

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Tufts University

24

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #24 position for public policy this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 82 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $64,952 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Southern California

25

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University placed #25 among the best public policy schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 public policy degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $67,556 in their early career. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Drexel University