2027 Best Public Policy Schools in the Southwest Region
Public Policy degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 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 the Southwest Region
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
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston tops our 2027 ranking of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public institution. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston awarded about 18 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn a median of $101,165 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans.
Get the full public policy details for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Rice University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #2. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 22 public policy degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Public Policy graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
See the full public policy program report for Rice University
Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 106 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $71,723 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
Read more about the public policy program at The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 25 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $64,891 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031.
See the full public policy program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Arizona State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 79 public policy degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Arizona State University earn around $51,095 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $22,341 in student loans.
See the full public policy program report for Arizona State University
Southern Methodist University landed the #6 spot for public policy this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 27 public policy degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $40,434 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $19,615 in student loans.
Read more about the public policy program at Southern Methodist University
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #7 for public policy this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 107 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $51,095 in their early career. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $22,341 in student loans.
See the full public policy program report for Arizona State University Skysong
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #8 for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 38 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $53,731 in their early career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans.
Read more about the public policy program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #9 position for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 31 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $43,837 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750.
Get the full public policy details for The University Of Texas At Dallas
University Of Houston placed #10 among the best public policy schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from University Of Houston earn around $57,529 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public policy program at University Of Houston
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 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.