2026 Best Public Policy Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public policy. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 25 public policy degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Get the full public policy details for Rice University

2

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 123 public policy degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $71,723. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #3. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $64,891 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Texas A And M University College Station

4

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 113 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 graduates carry a median of $22,341 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Arizona State University

5

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public policy, ranking #5. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 28 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public policy program make about $40,434 in their early career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $19,615 in student loans. More information about a degree in public policy from Southern Methodist University

6

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #6 position for public policy this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Houston awarded about 18 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,255. Get the full public policy details for University Of Houston

7

Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University earned the #7 position for public policy this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 11 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. Typical student debt for the program is $22,819. More information about a degree in public policy from Dallas Baptist University

8

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong came in at #8 for public policy this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. About 119 public policy degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $51,095. Typical student debt for the program is $22,341. Read more about the public policy program at Arizona State University Skysong

9

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #9 among the best public policy schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 public policy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $53,731. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete this degree. Read more about the public policy program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

10

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #10 for public policy this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 42 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public policy degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $43,837 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. More information about a degree in public policy from The University Of Texas At Dallas