2026 Best Public Policy Schools in Virginia
Public Policy programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best public policy schools.
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Best Schools for Public Policy in Virginia
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
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for public policy. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 189 public policy degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $71,078 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
See the full public policy program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 public policy students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $74,616 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public policy program at George Mason University
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top schools for public policy. 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 50 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Students borrow a median of $15,468 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public policy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 48 public policy students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $36,703 in the first couple years of their career. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
Get the full public policy details for College Of William And Mary
Liberty University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Liberty University awarded about 118 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $58,353 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,414.
See the full public policy program report for Liberty University
Regent University came in at #6 for public policy this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Regent University awarded about 27 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $38,546 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500.
Get the full public policy details for Regent University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.