Master’s Degrees in Public Policy
Featured Public Policy Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Business Administration - Public Administration
Prepare yourself to make the decisions that best serve a community, its constituents and its economic growth with this specialized business degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Fit new strategic skills into your public service passion and goals when you earn an MBA in Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Featured Public Policy Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Business Administration - Public Administration
Prepare yourself to make the decisions that best serve a community, its constituents and its economic growth with this specialized business degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Fit new strategic skills into your public service passion and goals when you earn an MBA in Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Education Levels of Public Policy Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 3,391 people earned their master's degree in public policy. This makes it the 55th most popular master's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in public policy at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 3,391 |
| Graduate Certificate | 379 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 280 |
Earnings of Public Policy Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in public policy is $61,558. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. A better approximation of salary is to look at the typical range of salaries. In this case the low is $53,557 and the high is $68,651.
Student Debt
The data on debt ranges for public policy majors who have their master's degree is not available.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their master's degree in public policy. About 59.4% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 1,377 |
| Women | 2,014 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of public policy master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 276 |
| Black or African American | 306 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 420 |
| White | 1,575 |
| International Students | 591 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 223 |
Most Popular Public Policy Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 119 colleges that offer a master’s degree in public policy. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Georgetown University comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Each year, around 19,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,896 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,848 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 201 people received their master's degree in public policy from Georgetown. About 55% of this group were women, and 34% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at Georgetown University make a median salary of 61,558.
The 3rd most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is Harvard University. Each year, around 30,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,269 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 172 people received their master's degree in public policy from Harvard. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 57% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at Harvard University make a median salary of 61,558.
The 4th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Roughly 47,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $17,977 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $27,192 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 122 people received their master's degree in public policy from U-M. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 57% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor make a median salary of 61,558.
University of California - Berkeley is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Each year, around 42,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 108 people received their master's degree in public policy from UC Berkeley. Of these students, 66% were women and 41% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at University of California - Berkeley make a median salary of 61,558.
University of Southern California comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 46,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $66,640 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 108 people received their master's degree in public policy from USC. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 57% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at University of Southern California make a median salary of 61,558.
The 7th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is The University of Texas at Austin. Roughly 50,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 99 people received their master's degree in public policy from UT Austin. Of these students, 59% were women and 39% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UT Austin graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
The 8th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Maryland - College Park. Roughly 40,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,889 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,560 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 98 people received their master's degree in public policy from UMCP. Around 30% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 58% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at University of Maryland - College Park make a median salary of 61,558.
The 9th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is Princeton University. Each year, around 7,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $59,710 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 97 people received their master's degree in public policy from Princeton. About 51% of this group were women, and 23% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at Princeton University make a median salary of 61,558.
University of Virginia - Main Campus comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 25,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,823 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,118 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 89 people received their master's degree in public policy from University of Virginia. About 67% of this group were women, and 36% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that University of Virginia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
The 11th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is Liberty University. Roughly 93,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,740 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 81 people received their master's degree in public policy from Liberty University. Of these students, 33% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Liberty University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
Duke University is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Each year, around 16,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,620 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 76 people received their master's degree in public policy from Duke. Of these students, 62% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Duke graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
George Mason University comes in at #13 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 38,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 74 people received their master's degree in public policy from GMU. Around 31% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 57% were women. Data shows that GMU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
The 14th most popular school in the country for public policy majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of California - Los Angeles. Each year, around 44,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 70 people received their master's degree in public policy from UCLA. About 65% of this group were women, and 63% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at University of California - Los Angeles make a median salary of 61,558.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Roughly 52,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,496 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,116 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 69 people received their master's degree in public policy from UMN Twin Cities. About 57% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
George Washington University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Each year, around 27,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,508 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $35,100 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 62 people received their master's degree in public policy from GWU. About 64% of this group were women, and 42% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. George Washington University public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
Carnegie Mellon University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in public policy. Roughly 13,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $62,260 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $48,496 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 62 people received their master's degree in public policy from Carnegie Mellon. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 62% were women. Data shows that Carnegie Mellon graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,558.
Brown University comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 9,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $65,656 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $65,656 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 59 people received their master's degree in public policy from Brown. Of these students, 64% were women and 27% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Brown University public policy graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,558.
Brandeis University comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Each year, around 5,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,348 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $61,458 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 58 people received their master's degree in public policy from Brandeis. About 65% of this group were women, and 28% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at Brandeis University make a median salary of 61,558.
University of California - San Diego comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in public policy. Roughly 39,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 57 people received their master's degree in public policy from UCSD. Of these students, 55% were women and 26% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in public policy at University of California - San Diego make a median salary of 61,558.
Related Programs
Learn about other programs related to Public Policy that might interest you.
BS in Business Administration - Public Administration
Prepare yourself to make the decisions that best serve a community, its constituents and its economic growth with this specialized business degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Fit new strategic skills into your public service passion and goals when you earn an MBA in Public Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to public policy that offer master’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 11,984 |
| Human Services | 873 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | 478 |
| Other Public Administration | 222 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By The Official CTBTO Photostream under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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