2026 Best Public Policy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Public Policy bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 248 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Cornell University this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Get the full Cornell University report
Princeton University came in at #2 on this year's Public Policy ranking in the United States. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full Princeton University report
Duke University came in at #3 on this year's Public Policy ranking in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. About 97% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Duke University Public Policy students take on a median of $10,500 in debt. See the full Duke University profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Chicago, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. The median Public Policy program debt is $17,492. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Out of the 248 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Brown University landed the #5 spot. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. The median Public Policy program debt is $10,345. More on Brown University
St Catherine University did well this year, earning the #6 position. St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Students borrow a median of $29,883 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read the full report on St Catherine University
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. The median Public Policy program debt is $18,750. Read more about Northwestern University
Carnegie Mellon University placed #8 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Public Policy students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Get the full Carnegie Mellon University report
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. The median Public Policy program debt is $16,155. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Trinity College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Based in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. Graduates carry a median of $23,161 in student loans. See the full Trinity College profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #12 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Public Policy program debt is $21,000. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. The median Public Policy program debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Policy student debt is $15,468. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical Public Policy student debt is $18,627. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Public Policy program here. More on University Of Maryland College Park
College Of William And Mary placed #18 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Based in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical Public Policy student debt is $22,000. More on College Of William And Mary
Augusta University placed #19 among Public Policy schools in the United States. This public school is set in Augusta, GA. Augusta University graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Typical Public Policy student debt is $25,745. Get the full Augusta University report
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bourbonnais, IL, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full Olivet Nazarene University report
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #21 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $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
University Of Southern California placed #22 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Vanderbilt University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. University Of Delaware Public Policy students take on a median of $25,336 in debt. Get the full University Of Delaware report
Arizona State University Skysong placed #25 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Arizona State University Skysong Public Policy students take on a median of $22,341 in debt. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
Central Washington University placed #26 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Central Washington University is a public school based in Ellensburg, WA. Central Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Central Washington University Public Policy students take on a median of $21,988 in debt. More on Central Washington University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Policy Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Brandeis University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waltham, MA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Public Policy program here. See the full Brandeis University profile
Siena College did well this year, earning the #28 position. Siena College is a private not-for-profit school based in Loudonville, NY. Siena College posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,805. Typical Public Policy student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Siena College
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #29 among Public Policy schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Denver did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Denver graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,398. The median Public Policy program debt is $22,534. Get the full University Of Denver report
Mercer University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Macon, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,565. Mercer University Public Policy students take on a median of $32,463 in debt. More on Mercer University
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school based in Chicago, IL. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Chicago
Michigan State University placed #33 among Public Policy schools in the United States. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,337 to complete their Public Policy program here. See the full Michigan State University profile
University Of Mississippi Main Campus did well this year, earning the #34 position. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public school based in University, MS. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. The median Public Policy program debt is $21,000. Read more about University Of Mississippi Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #35 among Public Policy schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school based in Richardson, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read more about The University Of Texas At Dallas
Suny At Albany came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. Suny At Albany posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. The median Public Policy program debt is $23,521. See the full Suny At Albany profile
Washington State University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. The median Public Policy program debt is $21,903. Read more about Washington State University
Mount St Marys College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mount St Marys College graduates 48% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,564. The median Public Policy program debt is $27,555. See the full Mount St Marys College profile
Depaul University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. The median Public Policy program debt is $25,310. Read the full report on Depaul University
Suny Empire State College placed #40 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, Suny Empire State College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $25,239 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full Suny Empire State College report
University Of California Riverside landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. University Of California Riverside is a public school based in Riverside, CA. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,161 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
Missouri Southern State University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. This public school is set in Joplin, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. The median Public Policy program debt is $22,241. Get the full Missouri Southern State University report
Southern Methodist University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $19,615 in student loans. Get the full Southern Methodist University report
Saint Joseph College placed #44 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Saint Joseph College is a private not-for-profit school based in West Hartford, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,278. The median Public Policy program debt is $27,798. More on Saint Joseph College
Georgia State University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Georgia State University Public Policy students take on a median of $30,750 in debt. Read the full report on Georgia State University
Regent University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Set in Virginia Beach, VA, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,650. Regent University Public Policy students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. Read the full report on Regent University
University Of Connecticut ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Policy student debt is $25,964. More on University Of Connecticut
University Of Rhode Island came in at #49 in this year's ranking. University Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Kingston, RI. About 72% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete their Public Policy program here. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #48 position. More on Arizona State University
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg did well this year, earning the #49 position. See the full Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg profile
Tennessee State University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Read the full report on Tennessee State University
Related Public Policy Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Public Policy Schools (All Levels)
- Best Public Policy Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Associate’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. Rankings consider 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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