2027 Best Public Policy Schools in Virginia
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 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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 Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public policy education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Public Policy
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public policy. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 198 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $71,078. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans.
See the full public policy program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 public policy students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from George Mason University earn around $74,616 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Get the full public policy details for George Mason University
Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 51 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $60,004 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,468 to complete this degree.
See the full public policy program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
A rank of #4 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for public policy. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. College Of William And Mary awarded about 60 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $36,703 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
Read more about the public policy program at College Of William And Mary
Liberty University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 156 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Liberty University earn around $58,353 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,414.
More information about a degree in public policy from Liberty University
Regent University came in at #6 for public policy this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Regent University awarded about 28 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $38,546. Regent University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
Read more about the public policy program at Regent University
More Public Policy Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 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.
