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2027 Best Public Policy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

22 Colleges in the United States
1,184 Public Policy Degrees Awarded
$63,716 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools to find the best for public policy students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Policy in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

1

No school ranked higher than Johns Hopkins University this year for public policy. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $97,034 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Johns Hopkins University

2

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Cornell University, which ranked #2. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 59 public policy degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $77,906 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750. More information about a degree in public policy from Cornell University

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 19 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Pennsylvania

4

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 81 public policy degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $76,399. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from George Washington University

5
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

A rank of #5 makes Georgetown University one of the top schools for public policy. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 72 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Georgetown University earn around $83,403 in the first couple years of their career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Georgetown University

6

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 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%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 17 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

7
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #7 position for public policy this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at Syracuse University

8
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #8 position for public policy this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 230 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $79,371. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,527 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for Princeton University

9
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University placed #9 among the best public policy schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 73 public policy students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of American University earn a median of $67,929 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. See the full public policy program report for American University

10
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Hamilton College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $56,158 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000. See the full public policy program report for Hamilton College

11
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #11 spot for public policy this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 13 public policy degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Drexel University

12

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #12 position for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 232 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $55,767 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Maryland College Park

13

University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #13 for public policy this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Maryland Baltimore County

14

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #14 spot 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%. About 12 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent 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. See the full public policy program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

15
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #15 spot for public policy this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Temple University awarded about 46 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,910. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at Temple University

16

Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #16 for public policy this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Rochester Institute Of Technology earn around $63,515 in the first couple years of their career. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for Rochester Institute Of Technology

17
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stony Brook University awarded about 18 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $54,079 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537. See the full public policy program report for Stony Brook University

18

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #18 among the best public policy schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $56,320 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick

19

University Of Delaware placed #19 among the best public policy schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Delaware awarded about 34 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Delaware earn around $36,796 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $25,336 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Delaware

20
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #20 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Suny At Albany graduates 61% of students within six years. About 14 public policy degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Suny At Albany earn around $44,736 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. Get the full public policy details for Suny At Albany

21
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College earned the #21 position for public policy this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny Empire State College awarded about 51 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $52,614 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,239 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for Suny Empire State College

22

Teachers College At Columbia University placed #22 among the best public policy schools. Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. There were roughly 28 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Teachers College At Columbia University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Read more about the public policy program at Teachers College At Columbia University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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