2026 Best Public Policy Schools in New York
Public Policy is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public policy students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Public Policy in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public policy education in New York.
Top Schools in Public Policy
Cornell University tops our 2026 ranking of the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $77,906 in their early career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public policy from Cornell University
Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Hamilton College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 public policy degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $56,158 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
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Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Rochester Institute Of Technology awarded about 21 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Typical student debt for the program is $27,491.
More information about a degree in public policy from Rochester Institute Of Technology
A rank of #4 makes Stony Brook University one of the top schools for public policy. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 22 public policy degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $54,079. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes Suny At Albany one of the top schools for public policy. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 23 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $44,736 in their early career. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public policy from Suny At Albany
Suny Empire State College placed #6 among the best public policy schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. About 36% of students finish within six years. Suny Empire State College awarded about 61 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $52,614 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,239.
More information about a degree in public policy from Suny Empire State College
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 26 public policy degrees were awarded at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent 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
The New School earned the #8 position for public policy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 public policy degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $69,579 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,460.
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More Public Policy Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 26 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.
