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Most Popular Online Schools for Public Policy

2026 Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools

There are 31 schools that offer a degree in Public Policy mostly online. Ranked by yearly graduations, here are the most popular below:

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for Public Policy students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendance, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 31 schools in the United States offering mostly-online programs for Public Policy students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with mostly-online programs.

Check out the online Public Policy programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

The most popular school in the United States for earning a Public Policy degree online is Arizona State University Digital Immersion. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, this is a public institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 119 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. About 51% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $48,210. Read More…

#2

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University comes in at #2 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Liberty University is a private nonprofit school located in Lynchburg, VA. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 118 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 28% of the Public Policy students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $44,414. Full Public Policy at Liberty University Report

#3

Empire State University

Saratoga Springs, NY

Empire State University comes in at #3 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, this is a public institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 62 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 31% of the Public Policy students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $52,821. Full Public Policy at Empire State University Report

#4

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University comes in at #4 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Located in Baltimore, MD, this is a private nonprofit institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. This school awarded 62 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. About 63% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $89,069. Read full report on Public Policy at Johns Hopkins University

#5

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA

Temple University comes in at #5 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Temple University is a public school located in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 75% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 61 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 75% of the Public Policy students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $45,412. Full Public Policy at Temple University Report

#6

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University landed the #6 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. Located in Corvallis, OR, this is a public institution. Roughly 67% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 44 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. About 64% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $47,459. Read full report on Public Policy at Oregon State University

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth landed the #7 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. Located in North Dartmouth, MA, this is a public institution. Roughly 67% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 36 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 67% of the Public Policy students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $50,652. Read full report on Public Policy at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

#8

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University comes in at #8 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Located in Virginia Beach, VA, this is a private nonprofit institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 27 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. About 59% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $42,499. Read full report on Public Policy at Regent University

#9

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky comes in at #9 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. University of Kentucky is a public school located in Lexington, KY. Roughly 67% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 26 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. About 50% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $45,496. Read More…

Texas A&M University-College Station comes in at #10 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Located in College Station, TX, this is a public institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 19 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. About 21% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $54,018. Read full report on Public Policy at Texas A&M University-College Station

American Public University System comes in at #11 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Located in Charles Town, WV, this is a private for-profit institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 17 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 24% of the Public Policy students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $57,877. Read full report on Public Policy at American Public University System

University of California College of the Law-San Francisco landed the #12 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. Located in San Francisco, CA, this is a public institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 16 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 94% of the Public Policy students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $125,246. Read full report on Public Policy at University of California College of the Law-San Francisco

University of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #13 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public school located in Fairbanks, AK. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 13 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. About 92% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $48,072. Read More…

#14

Marshall University

Huntington, WV

Marshall University comes in at #14 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Located in Huntington, WV, this is a public institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 12 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. About 50% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $41,873. Full Public Policy at Marshall University Report

#15

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University comes in at #15 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Tennessee State University is a public school located in Nashville, TN. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 12 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 67% of the Public Policy students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $36,092. Read full report on Public Policy at Tennessee State University

#16

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa comes in at #16 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. University of Northern Iowa is a public school located in Cedar Falls, IA. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. This school awarded 11 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. About 46% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $43,293. Full Public Policy at University of Northern Iowa Report

#17

Walden University

Minneapolis, MN

Walden University landed the #17 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. Walden University is a private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, MN. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 7 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 86% of the Public Policy students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $76,759. Full Public Policy at Walden University Report

York College of Pennsylvania comes in at #18 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. York College of Pennsylvania is a private nonprofit school located in York, PA. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. This school awarded 7 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 43% of the Public Policy students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $50,261. Read full report on Public Policy at York College of Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public school located in West Chester, PA. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. This school awarded 5 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 40% of the Public Policy students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $50,561. Read More…

Colorado State University-Fort Collins landed the #20 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. Located in Fort Collins, CO, this is a public institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 4 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. About 50% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $43,283. Read More…

#21

Niagara University

Niagara University, NY

Niagara University landed the #21 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. Located in Niagara University, NY, this is a private nonprofit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 4 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 75% of the Public Policy students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $45,413. Read full report on Public Policy at Niagara University

North Dakota State University-Main Campus landed the #22 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. North Dakota State University-Main Campus is a public school located in Fargo, ND. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. This school awarded 4 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. About 50% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $53,030. Read full report on Public Policy at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Ohio University-Main Campus comes in at #23 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. Located in Athens, OH, this is a public institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 4 degrees in Public Policy in the most recent reporting year. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $53,614. Read More…

University of Illinois Springfield comes in at #24 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Policy majors. University of Illinois Springfield is a public school located in Springfield, IL. About 100% of degrees in Public Policy here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 4 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 75% of the Public Policy students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $45,024. Full Public Policy at University of Illinois Springfield Report

University of Missouri-Columbia landed the #25 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking. University of Missouri-Columbia is a public school located in Columbia, MO. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 4 people earned their degree in Public Policy from this school. Women make up 50% of the Public Policy students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $48,326. Full Public Policy at University of Missouri-Columbia Report

#26

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND
#27

The University of Montana

Missoula, MT
#28

University of New England

Biddeford, ME
#29

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN
#30

Park University

Parkville, MO

View the Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools ranking for a specific region near you.

Region
New England
Middle Atlantic
Great Lakes
Plains States
Southeast
Southwest
Rocky Mountains
Far Western US

More Public Policy Rankings

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this Most Popular Online Public Policy Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Public Policy Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Public Policy Analysis 5,419
Health Policy Analysis 301
International Policy Analysis 276
Education Policy Analysis 104
Other Public Policy Analysis 83
Related Major Annual Graduates
Social Work 58,176
Public Administration 13,993
Human Services 11,674
Community Organization & Advocacy 2,651
Other Public Administration 518

References

*The average salary above is for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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