2026 Best Public Policy Schools
Looking for the best Public Policy programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 248 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Public Policy Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Cornell University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Public Policy programs schools in the United States. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Get the full Cornell University report
Out of the 248 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Princeton University landed the #2 spot. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical Public Policy student debt is $10,527. See the full Princeton University profile
Out of the 248 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Harvard University landed the #3 spot. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full Harvard University report
Out of the 248 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of California Berkeley landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
The strong Public Policy programs at Duke University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. More on Duke University
University Of Chicago placed #6 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete their Public Policy program here. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Elizabethtown College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Located in Elizabethtown, PA, Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read the full report on Elizabethtown College
Georgetown University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Typical Public Policy student debt is $16,483. More on Georgetown University
Brown University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical Public Policy student debt is $10,345. Read the full report on Brown University
St Catherine University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. St Catherine University posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. The median Public Policy program debt is $29,883. Get the full St Catherine University report
Loma Linda University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Loma Linda, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,960. Graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Read more about Loma Linda University
University Of North Dakota landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. The median Public Policy program debt is $25,110. More on University Of North Dakota
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Northwestern University placed #14 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. The median Public Policy program debt is $18,750. More on Northwestern University
George Washington University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical Public Policy student debt is $22,910. Read more about George Washington University
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full Clemson University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #19 position. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Trinity College placed #20 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Set in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. Students borrow a median of $23,161 to complete their Public Policy program here. More on Trinity College
University Of California Los Angeles placed #21 among Public Policy schools in the United States. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. The median Public Policy program debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #22 position. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The median Public Policy program debt is $21,275. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
George Mason University placed #23 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Public Policy program here. More on George Mason University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical Public Policy student debt is $15,468. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. The median Public Policy program debt is $15,000. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #27 among Public Policy schools in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Policy Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Public Policy students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Washington University In St Louis placed #29 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical Public Policy student debt is $17,553. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical Public Policy student debt is $21,813. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public school based in Baltimore, MD. University Of Maryland Baltimore County posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland Baltimore County Public Policy students take on a median of $21,331 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore County
College Of William And Mary did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. College Of William And Mary posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Read the full report on College Of William And Mary
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. The median Public Policy program debt is $23,258. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Vanderbilt University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical Public Policy student debt is $13,975. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Augusta University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Based in Augusta, GA, Augusta University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Policy student debt is $25,745. Get the full Augusta University report
University Of California San Francisco did well this year, earning the #36 position. This public school is set in San Francisco, CA. See the full University Of California San Francisco profile
Boston University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Read the full report on Boston University
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical Public Policy student debt is $18,000. Get the full University Of Southern California report
American University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Set in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read more about American University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical Public Policy student debt is $21,577. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Norwich University did well this year, earning the #41 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Northfield, VT. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,740. Graduates carry a median of $24,103 in student loans. More on Norwich University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. University Of Nevada Las Vegas graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. University Of Nevada Las Vegas Public Policy students take on a median of $21,181 in debt. More on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. The median Public Policy program debt is $20,031. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,900. The median Public Policy program debt is $26,797. More on Olivet Nazarene University
Capella University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Capella University graduates 20% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Capella University Public Policy students take on a median of $35,998 in debt. Read the full report on Capella University
California Lutheran University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in Thousand Oaks, CA, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,560. California Lutheran University Public Policy students take on a median of $22,727 in debt. Read the full report on California Lutheran University
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Rutgers University New Brunswick Public Policy students take on a median of $26,500 in debt. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Syracuse University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read the full report on Syracuse University
University Of Delaware landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical Public Policy student debt is $25,336. Get the full University Of Delaware report
University Of Arkansas placed #50 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Set in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full University Of Arkansas report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete their Public Policy program here. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
Central Washington University did well this year, earning the #52 position. This public school is set in Ellensburg, WA. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete their Public Policy program here. See the full Central Washington University profile
Best Public Policy Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Public Policy Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 248 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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