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Best Schools for Public Policy Analysis

Public Policy Analysis graduates earn a median of $39,377 within two years of graduation, ranking #119 out of 292 tracked majors — 11% above the median across all fields. There are 35 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 1,226 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Princeton University graduates earn $62,012 while University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates earn $20,140 — a $41,872 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

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.

35
Schools
$39,377
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#119
of 292 Majors
1,226
Graduates

Public vs Private: Public Policy Analysis

Public (19 schools)
$32,494
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (16 schools)
$47,552
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $15,058 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

Connecticut
6 schools
$24,660
New York
3 schools
$51,039
Texas
3 schools
$41,928
California
3 schools
$34,448
Virginia
3 schools
$35,360
North Carolina
2 schools
$49,198
Illinois
2 schools
$45,836
Michigan
2 schools
$41,697

Top Public Policy Analysis Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
P

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ · Private

$62,012
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,510
Grads: 48
Acceptance: 4.5%
#2
D

Duke University

Durham, NC · Private

$60,106
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,435
Grads: 116
Acceptance: 6.8%
#3
C

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$57,318
2yr Earnings
1yr: $65,965
Grads: 49
Acceptance: 8.2%
#4
V

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private

$57,318
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,717
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 6.3%
#5
R

Rice University

Houston, TX · Private

$55,512
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 7.9%
#6
D

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA · Private

$55,338
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,129
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 43.1%
#7
U

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$52,663
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,165
Grads: 90
Acceptance: 4.8%
#8
H

Hamilton College

Clinton, NY · Private

$50,856
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 11.8%
#9
T

Trinity College

Hartford, CT · Private

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,564
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 33.5%
#10
M

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$46,478
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,690
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 68.7%
#11
S

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

$45,852
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,063
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 61.2%
#12
H

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Geneva, NY · Private

$44,942
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 57.3%
#13
U

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

$44,384
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,429
Grads: 55
Acceptance: 17.9%
#14
V

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

$43,575
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 57.0%
#15
W

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,057
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 85.4%
#16
S

St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's City, MD · Public

$39,648
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 75.4%
#17
W

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · Public

$39,153
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,566
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 32.7%
#18
N

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,701
Grads: 23
Acceptance: 7.1%
#19
M

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,123
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 83.9%
#20
U

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,751
Grads: 157
Acceptance: 18.7%
#21
U

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public

$36,668
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,911
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 77.1%
#22
A

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

$36,560
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,079
Grads: 89
Acceptance: 90.2%
#23
A

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Scottsdale, AZ · Public

$36,560
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,079
Grads: 89
Acceptance: 64.1%
#24
U

University of Mississippi

University, MS · Public

$35,416
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 97.8%
#25
G

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA · Public

$33,138
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,007
Grads: 67
Acceptance: 62.3%
#26
B

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Private

$33,138
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,376
Grads: 93
Acceptance: 35.3%
#27
P

Pomona College

Claremont, CA · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 6.8%
#28
U

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$27,181
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,053
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 63.3%
#29
T

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

$24,421
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,618
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 65.5%
#30
R

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA · Private

$23,351
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 41.2%
#31
U

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public

$20,140
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,200
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 53.9%
#32
U

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public

$20,140
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,200
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 87.0%
#33
U

University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, CT · Public

$20,140
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,200
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 86.5%
#34
U

University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, CT · Public

$20,140
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,200
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 80.2%
#35
U

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, CT · Public

$20,140
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,200
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 86.5%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Health and Medical Administrative Services $39,991 Forestry $39,972 Business/Corporate Communications $39,779 Pharmacology and Toxicology $39,768 Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other $39,662 City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning $39,368

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Public Policy Analysis?
Princeton University ranks #1 for Public Policy Analysis with median graduate earnings of $62,012 within two years. There are 35 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 $39,377 within two years of graduation. This is 11% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $20,140 to $62,012 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 48.3%. 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 $47,552 in early earnings vs $32,494 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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