Best colleges for Public Policy Analysis in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California and University of California-Berkeley award the most Public Policy Analysis degrees in California: 200, 162 and 124 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 California colleges offer Public Policy Analysis and award 823 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Public Policy Analysis program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to evaluate and implement policies that address societal issues. It is designed for individuals interested in working within public administration,…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,403 | 162 | 92% | $26,873 | $18,000 |
| 2 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,867 | 93 | 76% | — | $19,161 |
| 3 | University of Redlands Redlands Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,888 | 14 | 67% | $22,706 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Public Policy Analysis degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 200 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 162 | $52,403 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | 124 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public | 93 | $39,867 |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | 53 | Not reported |
| 6 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit | 46 | Not reported |
| 7 | Pepperdine University Malibu Private not-for-profit | 20 | Not reported |
| 8 | Pomona College Claremont Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 9 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo Public | 15 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 8 California colleges offering Public Policy Analysis
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California College of the Law-San Francisco (Graduate only) | San Francisco | Public | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| University of California-Irvine | Irvine | Public | 12 |
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Mount Saint Mary's University | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| San Diego State University | San Diego | Public | 2 |
| Claremont Graduate University (Graduate only) | Claremont | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Medical and Health Services Managers (SOC 11-9111).
Top skills
What Medical and Health Services Managers earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Public Policy Analysis programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Public Policy Analysis degrees?+
University of California-Los Angeles (200 graduates a year), University of Southern California (162 graduates a year) and University of California-Berkeley (124 graduates a year) award the most Public Policy Analysis degrees in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 California colleges offer Public Policy Analysis.
Which Public Policy Analysis program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Southern California tops the list at $52,403. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Medical and Health Services Managers earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Medical and Health Services Managers in California is $159,170 (median $141,480), across about 75,090 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Public Policy Analysis program?+
The Public Policy Analysis program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to evaluate and implement policies that address societal issues. It is designed for individuals interested in working within public administration,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, critical thinking, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Medical and Health Services Managers?+
The national job outlook is about +23.2% growth with around 62,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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