Best institutions to study Health Policy Analysis
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to domestic and international health and health care systems.
25 U.S. institutions graduated 357 Health Policy Analysis students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 44.0503, a specialization of Public Policy Analysis (CIP 44.05), and leads most directly to the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9111).
About Health Policy Analysis programs
A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to domestic and international health and health care systems. Includes instruction in contemporary health issues and policies, politics and economics of health care delivery, epidemiology, public health, comparative and global health, medical law and ethics, statistical methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
See also: 51.2201 - Public Health, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Health Policy Analysis program, a subset of Public Policy Analysis, focuses on the systematic examination of public policy issues related to health and healthcare systems, both domestically and internationally. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the complexities of health policies and their impact on society.
Students will gain knowledge in contemporary health issues, healthcare delivery politics and economics, epidemiology, public health, and medical law and ethics. Core skills developed include critical thinking, effective communication, and data analysis.
Credentials awarded
What Health Policy Analysis graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree149 graduates / yr · 6 institutions42%
- Bachelor's degree111 graduates / yr · 9 institutions31%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year72 graduates / yr · 2 institutions20%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship13 graduates / yr · 5 institutions3.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate9 graduates / yr · 6 institutions2.5%
- Post-master's certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
Graduates over time
Health Policy Analysis completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 103 |
| 2013 | 153 |
| 2014 | 193 |
| 2015 | 174 |
| 2016 | 172 |
| 2017 | 182 |
| 2018 | 191 |
| 2019 | 185 |
| 2020 | 198 |
| 2021 | 287 |
| 2022 | 270 |
| 2023 | 343 |
| 2024 | 277 |
| 2025 | 357 |
Top 25 institutions for Health Policy Analysis, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandeis University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 111 | 86% | $25,074 | $39,943 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 70 | 90% | — | — |
| 3 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 45 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 4 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's | 33 | 75% | — | — |
| 5 | University of California College of the Law - San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicMaster's | 26 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 95% | $17,613 | $77,906 |
| 7 | Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 53% | $25,892 | — |
| 8 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 5 | 69% | — | — |
| 9 | Mississippi Christian University Clinton, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 59% | $21,096 | — |
| 10 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 11 | Ursinus College Collegeville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 73% | $27,153 | — |
| 12 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 13 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 49% | — | — |
| 14 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 15 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 16 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 80% | — | — |
| 17 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 93% | — | — |
| 18 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 61% | $23,844 | — |
| 19 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 71% | — | — |
| 20 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 76% | — | $39,867 |
| 21 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 54% | — | — |
| 22 | Siena University Loudonville, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 75% | $30,138 | — |
| 23 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 65% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicDoctoral | 1 | 51% | — | — |
| 25 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 74% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Policy Analysis field (CIP 44.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 15 states
Where Health Policy Analysis graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Policy Analysis programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | 111 | Brandeis University111 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 70 | University of Wisconsin - Madison70 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | 45 | Temple University33 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 45 | Yale University45 / yr |
| California | 4 | 37 | University of California College of the Law - San Francisco26 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 18 | Cornell University14 / yr |
| Virginia | 2 | 6 | George Mason University3 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 5 | University of Kansas5 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 5 | Mississippi Christian University5 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 5 | Capella University5 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 4 | Augusta University4 / yr |
| Tennessee | 2 | 2 | University of Memphis1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | Rider University2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | Indiana University - Indianapolis1 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Ohio University - Main Campus1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9111, Medical and Health Services Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Health Policy Analysis program can pursue careers as Medical and Health Services Managers, with a much faster than average job growth rate of 23.2%. With approximately 62,100 annual job openings and a median wage of $117,960, a Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 44.0503
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical and Health Services Managersprimary SOC 11-9111 | $123,860 | +23.2% Much faster than average | ~62,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Social Science Research Assistants SOC 19-4061 | $61,990 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~5,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Health Policy Analysis programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Public Policy Analysis specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Policy Analysis (CIP 44.05).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, writing, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Medical and Health Services Manager, Health Specialties Teacher, or Social Science Research Assistant.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 23.2% and 62,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Health Policy Analysis?+
Health Policy Analysis is CIP 44.0503 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Policy Analysis (CIP 44.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to domestic and international health and health care systems. Includes instruction in contemporary health issues and policies, politics and economics of health care delivery, epidemiology, public health, comparative and global health, medical law and ethics, statistical methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
How many institutions offer Health Policy Analysis programs?+
25 U.S. institutions reported Health Policy Analysis graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 357 credentials in the year. That is 6.2% of all Public Policy Analysis graduates.
How much do Health Policy Analysis graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical and Health Services Managers occupation, which Health Policy Analysis most directly leads to, pays a median of $123,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Public Policy Analysis field report median earnings of $39,943 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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