Best colleges for Public Policy Analysis
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Public Policy Analysis by graduate earnings are Cornell University ($77,906), Princeton University ($73,630) and Duke University ($60,501), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): $77,906, 59 graduates a year
- Princeton University (Princeton, NJ): $73,630, 230 graduates a year
- Duke University (Durham, NC): $60,501, 263 graduates a year
- University of Chicago (Chicago, IL): $60,057, 75 graduates a year
- Brown University (Providence, RI): $58,161, 69 graduates a year
Compare 196 U.S. colleges offering Public Policy Analysis by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 48 states.
Public Policy Analysis programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,252 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 44.05 and the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Public Policy Analysis programs
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, nonprofit organizations, and related fields, enabling them to analyze options and make informed decisions based on legislative goals. Students will engage in a comprehensive study of various policy areas, including education, health, and international relations, preparing them for impactful careers in policy analysis.
In this program, students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and data management. Coursework typically covers administration and management, personnel and human resources, and the use of technology in policy analysis, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the complexities of public policy.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,906 | 59 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,750 |
| 2 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,630 | 230 | 98% | $13,729 | $10,527 |
| 3 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,501 | 263 | 97% | $16,260 | $10,500 |
| 4 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $60,057 | 75 | 96% | $13,333 | $17,492 |
| 5 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,161 | 69 | 96% | $14,644 | $10,345 |
| 6 | Trinity College Hartford, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,902 | 47 | 84% | $25,245 | $23,161 |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,403 | 162 | 92% | $26,873 | $18,000 |
| 8 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,082 | 50 | 84% | — | $26,500 |
| 9 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,643 | 20 | 88% | — | $14,500 |
| 10 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,753 | 79 | 68% | — | $22,341 |
| 11 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,685 | 200 | 93% | — | $21,000 |
| 12 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,558 | 35 | 95% | $14,799 | $18,750 |
| 13 | Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,383 | 68 | 94% | — | — |
| 14 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,252 | 151 | 91% | — | $15,000 |
| 15 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,642 | 232 | 89% | — | $21,500 |
| 16 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,837 | 31 | 76% | — | $16,750 |
| 17 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,005 | 27 | 81% | — | $26,337 |
| 18 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,215 | 34 | 53% | — | $30,750 |
| 19 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,434 | 27 | 84% | $33,246 | $19,615 |
| 20 | University of Mississippi University, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,259 | 62 | 72% | — | $21,000 |
| 21 | Brandeis University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,943 | 148 | 86% | $25,074 | $25,000 |
| 22 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,867 | 93 | 76% | — | $19,161 |
| 23 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,546 | 28 | 57% | $18,677 | $24,500 |
| 24 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,796 | 34 | 81% | — | $25,336 |
| 25 | William & Mary Williamsburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,703 | 60 | 89% | — | $22,000 |
Specializations within Public Policy Analysis
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 44.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Public Policy AnalysisCIP 44.05015,065 graduates / yr165 institutions47 states
- Health Policy AnalysisCIP 44.0503357 graduates / yr25 institutions15 states
- International Policy AnalysisCIP 44.0504180 graduates / yr14 institutions10 states
- Education Policy AnalysisCIP 44.050297 graduates / yr15 institutions13 states
- Public Policy AnalysisCIP 44.059982 graduates / yr12 institutions8 states
Offered across 48 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9111, Medical and Health Services Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Public Policy Analysis program can expect a promising career outlook, with a projected growth rate of 23.2% and approximately 62,100 annual openings in the field. The median wage for policy analysts is $117,960, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Public Policy Analysis
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 44.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 44.05 (Public Policy Analysis) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-1031 | Legislators |
| 11-9111 | Medical and Health Services Managersprimary |
| 19-3094 | Political Scientists |
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants |
| 25-1065 | Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1081 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Public Policy Analysis programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
- Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
- Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
- Conduct and administer fiscal operations, including accounting, planning budgets, authorizing expenditures, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
- Maintain awareness of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.
- Establish work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability.
Common questions
What is Public Policy Analysis?+
Public Policy Analysis is a program that teaches students how to evaluate and implement policies that address societal issues.
What skills will I learn?+
Students will learn critical thinking, communication, data management, and various aspects of public administration.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is very positive, with a growth rate of 23.2% and around 62,100 annual openings.
What is the typical education required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Public Policy Analysis.
How much do Public Policy Analysis graduates earn?+
Public Policy Analysis graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,252, College Scorecard (2019); the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation pays about $140,970 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Public Policy Analysis?+
Public Policy Analysis maps to CIP 44.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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