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2027 Best Public Policy Schools in Pennsylvania

5 Colleges in the United States
107 Public Policy Degrees Awarded
$67,919 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Policy is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public policy students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Policy in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public policy education in Pennsylvania.

Top Schools in Public Policy

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public policy. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Pennsylvania

2

A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for public policy. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 public policy degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #3 spot this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Drexel University

4

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 12 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

5
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Temple University, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 46 public policy degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Temple University earn around $54,910 in the first couple years of their career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Temple 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 · 5 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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