Master’s Degrees in Public Policy
Education Levels of Public Policy Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 3,391 people earned their master's degree in public policy. This makes it the 55th most popular master's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in public policy at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 3,391 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 2,471 |
| Graduate Certificate | 379 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 280 |
| Basic Certificate | 214 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 |
Earnings of Public Policy Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in public policy is $61,558. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $53,557 and the high is $68,651.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for public policy students who are master's degree holders.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their master's degree in public policy. About 59.4% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 1,377 |
| Women | 2,014 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of public policy master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 276 |
| Black or African American | 306 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 420 |
| White | 1,575 |
| International Students | 591 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 223 |
Most Popular Public Policy Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 119 colleges that offer a master’s degree in public policy. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Georgetown University is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Each year, around 19,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,896 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,848 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 201 people received their master's degree in public policy from Georgetown. Of these students, 55% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Georgetown University public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
Harvard University comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Each year, around 30,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,269 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 172 people received their master's degree in public policy from Harvard. About 57% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Harvard University public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 47,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $17,977 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $27,192 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 122 people received their master's degree in public policy from U-M. About 57% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
University of Southern California is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Roughly 46,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $66,640 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 108 people received their master's degree in public policy from USC. About 57% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Southern California public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
The 5th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of California - Berkeley. Each year, around 42,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 108 people received their master's degree in public policy from UC Berkeley. Around 41% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 66% were women. University of California - Berkeley public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
The University of Texas at Austin comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 50,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 99 people received their master's degree in public policy from UT Austin. Around 39% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 59% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at The University of Texas at Austin make a median salary of 61,558.
University of Maryland - College Park comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 40,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,889 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,560 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 98 people received their master's degree in public policy from UMCP. About 58% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Maryland - College Park public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
Princeton University comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Each year, around 7,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $59,710 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 97 people received their master's degree in public policy from Princeton. Of these students, 51% were women and 23% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Princeton University public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
University of Virginia - Main Campus is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Roughly 25,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,823 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,118 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 89 people received their master's degree in public policy from University of Virginia. Of these students, 67% were women and 36% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at University of Virginia - Main Campus make a median salary of 61,558.
Liberty University comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 93,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 81 people received their master's degree in public policy from Liberty University. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 33% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at Liberty University make a median salary of 61,558.
The 12th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is Duke University. Each year, around 16,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,620 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 76 people received their master's degree in public policy from Duke. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 62% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at Duke University make a median salary of 61,558.
George Mason University is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Roughly 38,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 74 people received their master's degree in public policy from GMU. About 57% of this group were women, and 31% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at George Mason University make a median salary of 61,558.
University of California - Los Angeles comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Each year, around 44,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 70 people received their master's degree in public policy from UCLA. Of these students, 65% were women and 63% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of California - Los Angeles public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
The 15th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Roughly 52,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,496 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,116 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 69 people received their master's degree in public policy from UMN Twin Cities. Of these students, 57% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UMN Twin Cities graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
The 16th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is George Washington University. Each year, around 27,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,508 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $35,100 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 62 people received their master's degree in public policy from GWU. Of these students, 64% were women and 42% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that GWU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
The 16th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is Carnegie Mellon University. Roughly 13,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $62,260 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $48,496 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 62 people received their master's degree in public policy from Carnegie Mellon. About 62% of this group were women, and 23% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at Carnegie Mellon University make a median salary of 61,558.
Brown University is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Roughly 9,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $65,656 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $65,656 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 59 people received their master's degree in public policy from Brown. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 64% were women. Data shows that Brown graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
Brandeis University is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Each year, around 5,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,348 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $61,458 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 58 people received their master's degree in public policy from Brandeis. Of these students, 65% were women and 28% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Brandeis University public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
University of California - San Diego is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Roughly 39,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 57 people received their master's degree in public policy from UCSD. Around 26% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 55% were women. University of California - San Diego public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to public policy that offer master’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 11,984 |
| Human Services | 873 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | 478 |
| Other Public Administration | 222 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By The Official CTBTO Photostream under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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