Most Selective Highest Earnings Best Value Free Tuition UK Universities

Best Schools for Public Policy Analysis

Public Policy Analysis graduates earn a median of $74,288 within four years of graduating, ranking #123 out of 283 tracked majors — 19% above the median across all fields. There are 41 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 1,298 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Cornell University graduates earn $126,767 while University of Rhode Island graduates earn $51,697 — a $75,070 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Public Policy Analysis graduates see an average 5% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

41

Schools

$74,288

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#123

of 283 Majors

1,298

Graduates

Public vs Private: Public Policy Analysis

Public (22 schools)

$66,607

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (19 schools)

$88,369

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $21,762 more in early earnings on average for Public Policy Analysis graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Public Policy Analysis by State

Also by state: Arizona, Illinois, Michigan

Top Public Policy Analysis Schools by Graduate Earnings

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

2yr: $57,318 (40)

1yr: $65,965 (49)

Acceptance: 8.2%

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ · Private

2yr: $62,012 (21)

1yr: $50,510 (48)

Acceptance: 4.5%

Duke University

Durham, NC · Private

2yr: $60,106 (108)

1yr: $51,435 (116)

Acceptance: 6.8%

Brown University

Providence, RI · Private

23 grads · small sample

1yr: $49,331 (32)

Acceptance: 5.2%

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

2yr: $52,663 (73)

1yr: $51,165 (90)

Acceptance: 4.8%

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private

17 grads · small sample

2yr: $57,318 (13)

1yr: $31,717 (20)

Acceptance: 6.3%

University of Mississippi

University, MS · Public

22 grads · small sample

2yr: $35,416 (11)

Acceptance: 97.8%

Trinity College

Hartford, CT · Private

28 grads · small sample

2yr: $47,260 (19)

1yr: $50,564 (25)

Acceptance: 33.5%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

25 grads · small sample

2yr: $39,009 (26)

1yr: $40,701 (23)

Acceptance: 7.1%

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Private

2yr: $33,138 (82)

1yr: $40,376 (93)

Acceptance: 35.3%

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public

19 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 65.3%

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

19 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 10.0%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

2yr: $38,289 (43)

1yr: $39,751 (157)

Acceptance: 18.7%

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

2yr: $44,384 (39)

1yr: $44,429 (55)

Acceptance: 17.9%

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

2yr: $36,560 (51)

1yr: $37,079 (89)

Acceptance: 90.2%

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Scottsdale, AZ · Public

2yr: $36,560 (51)

1yr: $37,079 (89)

Acceptance: 64.1%

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA · Private

25 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 80.9%

St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's City, MD · Public

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $39,648 (24)

Acceptance: 75.4%

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · Public

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $39,153 (30)

1yr: $37,566 (27)

Acceptance: 32.7%

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

26 grads · small sample

2yr: $24,421 (20)

1yr: $41,618 (16)

Acceptance: 65.5%

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

19 grads · small sample

2yr: $43,575 (18)

Acceptance: 57.0%

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

20 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 50.8%

University of Delaware

Newark, DE · Public

1yr: $36,841 (40)

Acceptance: 65.1%

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public

24 grads · small sample

2yr: $20,140 (12)

1yr: $25,200 (21)

Acceptance: 53.9%

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public

24 grads · small sample

2yr: $20,140 (12)

1yr: $25,200 (21)

Acceptance: 87.0%

University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, CT · Public

24 grads · small sample

2yr: $20,140 (12)

1yr: $25,200 (21)

Acceptance: 86.5%

University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, CT · Public

24 grads · small sample

2yr: $20,140 (12)

1yr: $25,200 (21)

Acceptance: 80.2%

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, CT · Public

24 grads · small sample

2yr: $20,140 (12)

1yr: $25,200 (21)

Acceptance: 86.5%

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

17 grads · small sample

2yr: $42,682 (14)

1yr: $39,057 (18)

Acceptance: 85.4%

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA · Private

22 grads · small sample

2yr: $23,351 (15)

Acceptance: 41.2%

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

27 grads · small sample

2yr: $39,009 (16)

1yr: $34,123 (16)

Acceptance: 83.9%

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

2yr: $27,181 (61)

1yr: $28,053 (37)

Acceptance: 63.3%

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA · Public

2yr: $33,138 (66)

1yr: $34,007 (67)

Acceptance: 62.3%

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public

2yr: $36,668 (26)

1yr: $22,911 (32)

Acceptance: 77.1%

Rice University

Houston, TX · Private

Acceptance: 7.9%

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA · Private

17 grads · small sample

1yr: $50,129 (17)

Acceptance: 43.1%

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY · Private

Acceptance: 11.8%

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

17 grads · small sample

1yr: $37,690 (17)

Acceptance: 68.7%

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

20 grads · small sample

1yr: $26,063 (20)

Acceptance: 61.2%

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Geneva, NY · Private

Acceptance: 57.3%

Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private

Acceptance: 6.8%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other $39,662 Computer Software and Media Applications $39,431 Health and Medical Administrative Services $39,420 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning $39,368 Cognitive Science $39,315 Architectural History and Criticism $39,230

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Public Policy Analysis?

Cornell University ranks #1 for Public Policy Analysis with median graduate earnings of $126,767 within four years of graduating. There are 41 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Public Policy Analysis graduates earn?

Public Policy Analysis graduates earn an average of $74,288 within four years of graduating. This is 19% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $51,697 to $126,767 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Public Policy Analysis program?

The average acceptance rate across Public Policy Analysis programs is 48.0%. The most selective program is at Princeton University with a 4.5% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Public Policy Analysis?

Private Public Policy Analysis programs average $88,369 in early earnings vs $66,607 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

Get Public Policy Analysis Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.