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2027 Best Public Policy Schools in Texas

7 Colleges in the United States
262 Public Policy Degrees Awarded
$64,982 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Policy is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public policy programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for public policy students.

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Best Schools for Public Policy in Texas

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

Top Schools in Public Policy

1

Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston the best school in the country for a degree in public policy. Located in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public university. About 18 public policy degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their public policy degree from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn around $101,165 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete this degree. See the full public policy program report for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston

2
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Rice University, which ranked #2. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Rice University awarded about 22 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. See the full public policy program report for Rice University

3

The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public policy, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students 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. Get the full public policy details for The University Of Texas At Austin

4

Students looking for a strong public policy program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #4. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from Texas A And M University College Station

5

Southern Methodist University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 27 public policy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public policy degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $40,434. Typical student debt for the program is $19,615. See the full public policy program report for Southern Methodist University

6

The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #6 among the best public policy schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 31 public policy students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Public Policy graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $43,837 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. More information about a degree in public policy from The University Of Texas At Dallas

7

University Of Houston ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best public policy schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Houston awarded about 33 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. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public policy from 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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