Public Policy Analysis programs
CIP 4405 · Public Administration & Social Service · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
67 institutions report graduate earnings for Public Policy Analysis programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $82,537 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38× and 92% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 2 of the 86 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard UniversityMA · Master's | $129,978 n=173 | 97% 5yr | $70,447 | 0.54× | Above +72% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | Cornell UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $126,767 n=49 | 97% 5yr | $15,125 | 0.12× | Above +233% | Clears 2/2 |
| 3 | University of California-San FranciscoCA · Master's | $124,169 n=23 | – | $49,000 | 0.40× | Above +65% | – |
| 4 | Princeton UniversityNJ · Master's | $120,163 n=52 | 100% 5yr | – | – | Above +56% | Clears 2/2 |
| 5 | University of California-BerkeleyCA · Professional | $113,884 n=99 | 95% 1yr | $55,475 | 0.49× | Above +51% | – |
| 6 | University of ChicagoIL · Master's | $112,727 n=122 | 97% 5yr | $78,854 | 0.70× | Above +65% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | Georgetown UniversityDC · Master's | $110,634 n=115 | 96% 5yr | $99,635 | 0.90× | Above +28% | Clears 2/2 |
| 8 | Duke UniversityNC · Master's | $109,274 n=79 | 96% 5yr | $66,331 | 0.61× | Above +86% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | Princeton UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $107,792 n=41 | 100% 5yr | $10,527 | 0.10× | Above +170% | – |
| 10 | Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Master's | $107,692 n=23 | 96% 1yr | $32,114 | 0.30× | Above +42% | – |
| 11 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Master's | $107,392 n=114 | 99% 5yr | $48,894 | 0.46× | Above +71% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA · Master's | $103,268 n=92 | 93% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.40× | Above +61% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | Duke UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $103,071 n=91 | 91% 5yr | $10,500 | 0.10× | Above +200% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | University of California-Los AngelesCA · Master's | $100,925 n=65 | 94% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.41× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | University of Virginia-Main CampusVA · Master's | $99,110 n=67 | 100% 5yr | $37,240 | 0.38× | Above +40% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | American UniversityDC · Master's | $98,588 n=63 | 96% 5yr | $54,986 | 0.56× | Above +14% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | George Mason UniversityVA · Master's | $97,926 n=107 | 96% 5yr | $37,996 | 0.39× | Above +38% | Clears 2/2 |
| 18 | University of ConnecticutCT · Master's | $96,919 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +29% | – |
| 19 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Master's | $96,919 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +29% | – |
| 20 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Master's | $96,919 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +29% | – |
| 21 | University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Master's | $96,919 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +29% | – |
| 22 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Master's | $96,919 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +29% | – |
| 23 | University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Master's | $96,792 n=106 | 93% 5yr | $30,821 | 0.32× | Above +27% | Clears 2/2 |
| 24 | Vanderbilt UniversityTN · Master's | $96,305 n=26 | 92% 5yr | $40,464 | 0.42× | Above +69% | Clears 2/2 |
| 25 | Brown UniversityRI · Bachelor's | $94,962 n=23 | 83% 1yr | $10,000 | 0.10× | Above +126% | – |
| 26 | George Washington UniversityDC · Master's | $94,862 n=97 | 97% 5yr | $53,242 | 0.56× | Above +10% | Clears 2/2 |
| 27 | University of ChicagoIL · Bachelor's | $94,237 n=83 | 98% 5yr | $17,492 | 0.19× | Above +150% | Clears 2/2 |
| 28 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's | $94,114 n=60 | 97% 5yr | $81,516 | 0.87× | Above +25% | Clears 2/2 |
| 29 | Temple UniversityPA · Master's | $91,832 n=23 | 86% 1yr | $35,400 | 0.39× | Above +43% | – |
| 30 | Vanderbilt UniversityTN · Bachelor's | $91,265 n=17 | 80% 1yr | – | – | Above +161% | – |
| 31 | The New SchoolNY · Master's | $89,713 n=31 | 94% 5yr | $61,796 | 0.69× | Above +26% | Clears 2/2 |
| 32 | Rutgers University-CamdenNJ · Master's | $89,111 n=30 | 86% 1yr | $30,250 | 0.34× | Above +16% | – |
| 33 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Master's | $89,111 n=30 | 86% 1yr | $30,250 | 0.34× | Above +16% | – |
| 34 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Grad cert | $89,003 n=47 | 90% 5yr | $85,385 | 0.96× | Above +18% | Clears 2/2 |
| 35 | University of Massachusetts-DartmouthMA · Master's | $87,730 n=21 | 97% 1yr | – | – | Above +16% | – |
| 36 | Teachers College at Columbia UniversityNY · Master's | $87,221 n=27 | 83% 1yr | $41,599 | 0.48× | Above +23% | – |
| 37 | Brown UniversityRI · Master's | $87,139 n=58 | 97% 5yr | $47,500 | 0.55× | Above +32% | Clears 2/2 |
| 38 | University of MississippiMS · Bachelor's | $85,338 n=22 | 63% 1yr | $21,000 | 0.25× | Above +159% | Clears 2/2 |
| 39 | The University of Texas at AustinTX · Master's | $84,618 n=104 | 98% 5yr | $40,156 | 0.47× | Above +29% | Clears 2/2 |
| 40 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusWA · Master's | $84,234 n=24 | 95% 5yr | $22,821 | 0.27× | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 41 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Master's | $84,234 n=24 | 95% 5yr | $22,821 | 0.27× | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 42 | Walden UniversityMN · Master's | $84,035 n=19 | 86% 5yr | $34,167 | 0.41× | Above +23% | – |
| 43 | Trinity CollegeCT · Bachelor's | $82,638 n=28 | 79% 1yr | $23,161 | 0.28× | Above +96% | – |
| 44 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstMA · Master's | $82,435 n=24 | 86% 1yr | – | – | Above +9% | – |
| 45 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTN · Master's | $82,094 n=21 | – | – | – | Above +44% | – |
| 46 | Pepperdine UniversityCA · Master's | $81,037 n=25 | 81% 5yr | $60,660 | 0.75× | Above +8% | Clears 2/2 |
| 47 | William & MaryVA · Master's | $80,402 n=21 | – | – | – | Above +13% | Clears 2/2 |
| 48 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Master's | $80,100 n=102 | 93% 1yr | $31,250 | 0.39× | Above +17% | – |
| 49 | Brandeis UniversityMA · Master's | $79,908 n=36 | 97% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.51× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 50 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Master's | $78,939 n=35 | 92% 5yr | $20,213 | 0.26× | Above +28% | Clears 2/2 |
| 51 | Northwestern UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $78,752 n=25 | 78% 5yr | $18,750 | 0.24× | Above +109% | Clears 2/2 |
| 52 | Liberty UniversityVA · Master's | $78,054 n=138 | 91% 5yr | $27,994 | 0.36× | Above +10% | Below 1/2 |
| 53 | Stony Brook UniversityNY · Master's | $77,523 n=32 | 86% 5yr | $20,391 | 0.26× | Above +9% | Clears 2/2 |
| 54 | University of California-RiversideCA · Master's | $76,103 n=27 | 71% 1yr | $41,775 | 0.55× | Above +1% | – |
| 55 | Brandeis UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $75,580 n=59 | 83% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.33× | Above +74% | Clears 2/2 |
| 56 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Master's | $75,424 n=16 | 95% 1yr | – | – | Above +12% | – |
| 57 | University of California-IrvineCA · Master's | $75,045 n=19 | – | $41,000 | 0.55× | Below +0% | – |
| 58 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's | $74,865 n=19 | 63% 1yr | $23,750 | 0.32× | Above +88% | – |
| 59 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's | $74,511 n=19 | 65% 1yr | $17,750 | 0.24× | Above +94% | – |
| 60 | University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Bachelor's | $74,403 n=163 | 87% 5yr | $14,000 | 0.19× | Above +117% | Clears 2/2 |
| 61 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's | $73,749 n=57 | 90% 5yr | $21,000 | 0.28× | Above +110% | Clears 2/2 |
| 62 | Portland State UniversityOR · Master's | $73,504 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +18% | – |
| 63 | Michigan State UniversityMI · Master's | $72,828 n=22 | – | – | – | Above +16% | – |
| 64 | Trinity CollegeCT · Master's | $72,738 n=16 | 89% 1yr | – | – | Below -3% | – |
| 65 | University of HoustonTX · Master's | $72,392 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +10% | – |
| 66 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $71,723 n=172 | 93% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.27× | Above +95% | Clears 2/2 |
| 67 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $71,723 n=172 | 93% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.27× | Above +95% | Clears 2/2 |
| 68 | University of RedlandsCA · Bachelor's | $70,080 n=25 | – | $27,000 | 0.39× | Above +82% | – |
| 69 | St. Mary's College of MarylandMD · Bachelor's | $69,232 n=23 | 94% 5yr | $22,750 | 0.33× | Above +65% | Clears 2/2 |
| 70 | William & MaryVA · Bachelor's | $69,118 n=23 | 92% 5yr | $22,000 | 0.32× | Above +82% | Clears 2/2 |
| 71 | University of Southern MaineME · Master's | $66,469 n=29 | 100% 5yr | $31,571 | 0.47× | Above +25% | Clears 2/2 |
| 72 | The University of Texas at DallasTX · Bachelor's | $66,209 n=26 | – | $16,750 | 0.25× | Above +85% | Clears 2/2 |
| 73 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $66,177 n=19 | 91% 5yr | $15,500 | 0.23× | Above +74% | Clears 2/2 |
| 74 | Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $65,894 n=20 | 75% 1yr | $14,373 | 0.22× | Above +79% | – |
| 75 | University of DelawareDE · Bachelor's | $65,776 n=47 | 100% 5yr | $25,195 | 0.38× | Above +71% | Clears 2/2 |
| 76 | University of ConnecticutCT · Bachelor's | $64,389 n=24 | 53% 1yr | $24,250 | 0.38× | Above +52% | – |
| 77 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Bachelor's | $64,389 n=24 | 53% 1yr | $24,250 | 0.38× | Above +52% | – |
| 78 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Bachelor's | $64,389 n=24 | 53% 1yr | $24,250 | 0.38× | Above +52% | – |
| 79 | University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Bachelor's | $64,389 n=24 | 53% 1yr | $24,250 | 0.38× | Above +52% | – |
| 80 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Bachelor's | $64,389 n=24 | 53% 1yr | $24,250 | 0.38× | Above +52% | – |
| 81 | Washington State UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $63,631 n=17 | 91% 5yr | – | – | Above +49% | Clears 2/2 |
| 82 | Regent UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $60,776 n=22 | 66% 1yr | $22,469 | 0.37× | Above +60% | – |
| 83 | Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $58,535 n=27 | 73% 1yr | $25,822 | 0.44× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 84 | University of California-RiversideCA · Bachelor's | $58,504 n=75 | 86% 5yr | $19,161 | 0.33× | Above +52% | Clears 2/2 |
| 85 | Georgia State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $56,842 n=49 | 88% | $25,767 | 0.45× | Above +61% | Clears 2/2 |
| 86 | University of Rhode IslandRI · Bachelor's | $51,697 n=39 | 82% 5yr | $23,000 | 0.45× | Above +23% | Clears 2/2 |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $103,071 | 3 |
| District of Columbia | $98,588 | 3 |
| Maryland | $96,792 | 3 |
| Illinois | $94,237 | 3 |
| Tennessee | $91,265 | 3 |
| New Jersey | $89,111 | 5 |
| New York | $88,467 | 4 |
| Rhode Island | $87,139 | 3 |
| Washington | $84,234 | 3 |
| Massachusetts | $82,435 | 5 |
| California | $81,037 | 11 |
| Virginia | $78,054 | 7 |
| Connecticut | $77,688 | 12 |
| Michigan | $73,289 | 4 |
| Texas | $72,392 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Public Policy Analysis programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Public Policy Analysis programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Public Policy Analysis programs in this dataset are Harvard University ($129,978), Cornell University ($126,767), University of California-San Francisco ($124,169). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Public Policy Analysis programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 2 of the 86 Public Policy Analysis programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.