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2026 Best Public Policy Schools in Massachusetts

2 Colleges in the United States
430 Public Policy Degrees Awarded
$62,527 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Policy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 14 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 Massachusetts

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

Top Schools in Public Policy

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University tops our 2026 ranking of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 170 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. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Read more about the public policy program at Harvard University

2
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

A rank of #2 makes Boston University one of the top schools for public policy. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Boston University awarded about 11 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232. See the full public policy program report for Boston University

3
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 public policy degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. More information about a degree in public policy from Tufts University

4

Suffolk University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #4. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suffolk University awarded about 10 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $57,261 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete this degree. Get the full public policy details for Suffolk University

5

University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston

6

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #6 position for public policy this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn around $67,722 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

7

Brandeis University came in at #7 for public policy this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waltham. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 136 public policy degrees were awarded at Brandeis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $52,220 in their early career. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for Brandeis University

8

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #8 among the best public policy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $50,929 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. See the full public policy program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

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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 · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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