2026 Best Public Policy Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Public Policy doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 248 schools 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Harvard University to be the best Public Policy school in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. The median Public Policy program debt is $16,616. See the full Harvard University profile
You'll be in good company at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
A rank of #3 makes Princeton University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Graduates carry a median of $10,527 in student loans. Read more about Princeton University
You'll be in good company at Duke University, which ranked #4 this year. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read the full report on Duke University
You'll be in good company at Loma Linda University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,960. Graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. More on Loma Linda University
George Washington University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More on George Washington University
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. 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. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Clemson University Public Policy students take on a median of $23,783 in debt. Get the full Clemson University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. 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. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
George Mason University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Fairfax, VA. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical Public Policy student debt is $23,529. Read the full report on George Mason University
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #11 position. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin Public Policy students take on a median of $21,275 in debt. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #12 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. The median Public Policy program debt is $21,331. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore County
University Of Maryland College Park placed #13 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Public Policy students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical Public Policy student debt is $15,000. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Nevada Las Vegas did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Read more about University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Capella University did well this year, earning the #16 position. This private for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. About 20% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Capella University Public Policy students take on a median of $35,998 in debt. Read more about Capella University
University Of Southern California placed #17 among Public Policy schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. University Of Southern California Public Policy students take on a median of $18,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
University Of Arkansas came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. University Of Arkansas Public Policy students take on a median of $24,019 in debt. Read more about University Of Arkansas
Saint Louis University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Typical Public Policy student debt is $26,586. More on Saint Louis University Main Campus
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. About 80% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. The median Public Policy program debt is $20,542. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
University Of Kansas landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. University Of Kansas Public Policy students take on a median of $23,608 in debt. Read more about University Of Kansas
The University Of Texas At Dallas did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $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. Get the full The University Of Texas At Dallas report
Rutgers University Camden did well this year, earning the #23 position. Rutgers University Camden is a public school based in Camden, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read the full report on Rutgers University Camden
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical Public Policy student debt is $23,146. More on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #25 among Public Policy schools in the United States. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school based in Boston, MA. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete their Public Policy program here. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Boston
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Policy Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Brandeis University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Brandeis University Public Policy students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full Brandeis University report
Baylor University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. Baylor University posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete their Public Policy program here. See the full Baylor University profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte did well this year, earning the #28 position. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical Public Policy student debt is $24,673. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Portland State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. Portland State University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete their Public Policy program here. More on Portland State University
Southern University And A And M College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. This public school is set in Baton Rouge, LA. About 27% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,922, compared with $17,272 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Policy student debt is $33,288. See the full Southern University And A And M College profile
Georgia State University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Georgia State University is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Georgia State University graduates 53% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Read more about Georgia State University
University Of Southern Maine came in at #33 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Portland, ME. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical Public Policy student debt is $23,593. Read the full report on University Of Southern Maine
The New School came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The New School posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,730. The New School Public Policy students take on a median of $24,460 in debt. Read the full report on The New School
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #34 in this year's ranking. More on New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Pitzer College
Pitzer College placed #35 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Read the full report on Pitzer College
Augusta University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Read more about Augusta University
University Of California Riverside came in at #37 in this year's ranking. More on University Of California Riverside
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Arizona State University
California Lutheran University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Read more about California Lutheran University
Rider University
Rider University did well this year, earning the #40 position. More on Rider University
Pepperdine University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Pepperdine University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Western Michigan University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. More on Western Michigan University
Boston University placed #44 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Get the full Boston University report
Saint Joseph College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Saint Joseph College
Stanford University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Read the full report on Stanford University
Tennessee State University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Read more about Tennessee State University
Duquesne University placed #48 among Public Policy schools in the United States. Read more about Duquesne University
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Public Policy schools. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
Elon University
Elon University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Elon University report
Related Public Policy Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Policy Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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