25 Most Popular Colleges for Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Programs
In 2017-2018, 240 students received their doctor’s degree in public policy from an American university. Ranked in order of popularity, here are the colleges with the largest programs in the field:
With 16 doctor’s degrees handed out in 2017-2018, Pardee RAND Graduate School is the most popular college in the country for public policy degree-seekers.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at Pardee RAND Graduate School.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$21,379 |
$21,379 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
Niagara earned the #2 spot on our list by awarding doctor's degrees to 15 public policy majors in 2017-2018. Niagara also ranks #2 in popularity in New York for students seeking a public policy degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending Niagara.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$13,698 |
$13,698 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$761 |
$761 |
There were 30 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 0 were classified as teaching assistants, and 7 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Doctorates in public policy were awarded to 14 students at UTHealth in 2017-2018. This puts the school in the #3 spot on our list. UTHealth also ranks #3 in popularity in Texas for students seeking a public policy degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending UTHealth.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$7,219 |
$28,515 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,299 |
$1,299 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$212 |
$839 |
Across all programs, there were 520 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 290 were classified as teaching assistants, and 230 were classified as research assistants.
The #4 spot on our list belongs to Harvard for handing out 12 doctor's degrees in public policy in 2017-2018. Harvard also ranks #4 in popularity in Massachusetts for students seeking a public policy degree.
Graduate students at Harvard can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$44,816 |
$44,816 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,142 |
$1,142 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,401 |
$1,401 |
In 2017-2018, Harvard reported having 2,182 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 1,268 were classified as teaching assistants, and 867 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Brandeis is ranked #4 on our list due to it handing out doctor's degrees in public policy to 12 students in 2017-2018. Brandeis also ranks #4 in popularity in Massachusetts for students seeking a public policy degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending Brandeis.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$48,720 |
$48,720 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$88 |
$88 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,522 |
$1,522 |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 188. Of that number, 89 were classified as teaching assistants, and 99 were classified as research assistants.
About 10 students earned doctor's degrees in public policy at University of California - Berkeley in 2017-2018, making the school the 6th most popular in the nation. UC Berkeley also ranks #6 in popularity in California for students seeking a public policy degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending UC Berkeley.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,502 |
$26,604 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,668 |
$2,668 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
In a typical year, there are 4,694 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 3,148 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,546 were classified as research assistants.
Georgia Tech awarded 10 doctor's degrees in public policy in 2017-2018. This makes the school the 6th most popular in the country for the field. Georgia Tech also ranks #6 in popularity in Georgia for students seeking a public policy degree.
Graduate students at Georgia Tech can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$13,788 |
$28,568 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,010 |
$2,010 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$575 |
$1,191 |
The school reported having 3,839 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 1,142 were classified as teaching assistants, and 2,494 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Georgia State is the #6 most popular school for public policy. It handed out 10 doctor's degrees in the field in 2017-2018. Georgia State also ranks #6 in popularity in Georgia for students seeking a public policy degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending Georgia State.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$7,020 |
$22,518 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,128 |
$2,128 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$390 |
$1,251 |
Across all programs, there were 2,924 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 731 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,772 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
In 2017-2018, 9 students at UChicago earned doctor's degrees in public policy. This makes the college rank #9 on our list. UChicago also ranks #9 in popularity in Illinois for students seeking a public policy degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending UChicago.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$55,836 |
$55,836 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,164 |
$1,164 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,861 |
$1,861 |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 660. Of that number, 137 were classified as teaching assistants, and 523 were classified as research assistants.
At GMU, 8 doctorates were awarded in 2017-2018 in public policy, which makes the school come in at #10 on our list. GMU also ranks #10 in popularity in Virginia for students seeking a public policy degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at GMU.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,228 |
$30,932 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$3,252 |
$3,252 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$603 |
$1,424 |
In 2017-2018, GMU reported having 1,385 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 713 were classified as teaching assistants, and 587 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Duke awarded 8 doctor's degrees in public policy in 2017-2018. This makes the school the 10th most popular in the country for the field. Duke also ranks #10 in popularity in North Carolina for students seeking a public policy degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending Duke.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$51,480 |
$51,480 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,137 |
$1,137 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$2,990 |
$2,990 |
In a typical year, there are 1,598 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 715 were classified as teaching assistants, and 883 were classified as research assistants.
At UT Dallas, 7 doctorates were awarded in 2017-2018 in public policy, which makes the school come in at #12 on our list. UT Dallas also ranks #12 in popularity in Texas for students seeking a public policy degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at UT Dallas.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$12,916 |
$25,252 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$718 |
$1,403 |
The school reported having 1,472 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 909 were classified as teaching assistants, and 563 were classified as research assistants.
UMass Boston earned the #12 spot on our list by awarding doctor's degrees to 7 public policy majors in 2017-2018. UMass Boston also ranks #12 in popularity in Massachusetts for students seeking a public policy degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending UMass Boston.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$17,375 |
$33,915 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$355 |
$355 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$724 |
$1,413 |
There were 736 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 415 were classified as teaching assistants, and 297 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
UMCP is the #12 most popular school for public policy. It handed out 7 doctor's degrees in the field in 2017-2018. UMCP also ranks #12 in popularity in Maryland for students seeking a public policy degree.
Graduate students at UMCP can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$12,294 |
$26,532 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,590 |
$1,590 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$683 |
$1,474 |
The school reported having 4,109 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 2,929 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,180 were classified as research assistants.
SLU is ranked #15 on our list due to it handing out doctor's degrees in public policy to 6 students in 2017-2018. SLU also ranks #15 in popularity in Missouri for students seeking a public policy degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending SLU.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$19,800 |
$19,800 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$546 |
$546 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,100 |
$1,100 |
There were 649 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 160 were classified as teaching assistants, and 213 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
About 6 students earned doctor's degrees in public policy at Portland State University in 2017-2018, making the school the 15th most popular in the nation. Portland State University also ranks #15 in popularity in Oregon for students seeking a public policy degree.
Graduate students at Portland State University can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$14,436 |
$21,780 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,380 |
$1,380 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$401 |
$605 |
In 2017-2018, Portland State University reported having 726 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 457 were classified as teaching assistants, and 227 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
In 2017-2018, 6 students at UT Austin earned doctor's degrees in public policy. This makes the college rank #15 on our list. UT Austin also ranks #15 in popularity in Texas for students seeking a public policy degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending UT Austin.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,490 |
$22,178 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$637 |
$1,169 |
In a typical year, there are 5,079 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 2,967 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,864 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
The #15 spot on our list belongs to UARK for handing out 6 doctor's degrees in public policy in 2017-2018. UARK also ranks #15 in popularity in Arkansas for students seeking a public policy degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending UARK.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$7,563 |
$19,784 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,008 |
$1,008 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$420 |
$1,099 |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 1,574. Of that number, 747 were classified as teaching assistants, and 682 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Doctorates in public policy were awarded to 5 students at UMass Dartmouth in 2017-2018. This puts the school in the #19 spot on our list. UMass Dartmouth also ranks #19 in popularity in Massachusetts for students seeking a public policy degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending UMass Dartmouth.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$15,449 |
$27,880 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$405 |
$405 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$644 |
$1,162 |
Across all programs, there were 233 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 118 were classified as teaching assistants, and 75 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
In 2017-2018, 5 students at Princeton earned doctor's degrees in public policy. This makes the college rank #19 on our list. Princeton also ranks #19 in popularity in New Jersey for students seeking a public policy degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at Princeton.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$47,140 |
$47,140 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$1,800 |
$1,800 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
Not Reported |
Not Reported |
In 2017-2018, the school reported the combined number of graduate assistants across all departments to be 1,255. Of that number, 732 were classified as teaching assistants, and 523 were classified as research assistants.
GWU is the #19 most popular school for public policy. It handed out 5 doctor's degrees in the field in 2017-2018. GWU also ranks #19 in popularity in District of Columbia for students seeking a public policy degree.
Here are the average costs for graduate students at GWU.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$29,790 |
$29,790 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$50 |
$50 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,655 |
$1,655 |
There were 775 graduate assistants at the school (in all programs combined) in the year of this report. Of that number, 627 were classified as teaching assistants, and 148 were classified as research assistants.
UNC Charlotte earned the #19 spot on our list by awarding doctor's degrees to 5 public policy majors in 2017-2018. UNC Charlotte also ranks #19 in popularity in North Carolina for students seeking a public policy degree.
These are the average costs for graduate students attending UNC Charlotte.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$4,337 |
$17,771 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$3,020 |
$3,020 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$409 |
$1,155 |
In a typical year, there are 1,243 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 553 were classified as teaching assistants, and 605 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
The #19 spot on our list belongs to USC for handing out 5 doctor's degrees in public policy in 2017-2018. USC also ranks #19 in popularity in California for students seeking a public policy degree.
Graduate students at USC can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$43,200 |
$43,200 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$813 |
$813 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,800 |
$1,800 |
The school reported having 2,039 graduate assistants for all departments combined in 2017-2018. Of that number, 698 were classified as teaching assistants, and 1,341 were classified as research assistants.
UMBC awarded 4 doctor's degrees in public policy in 2017-2018. This makes the school the 24th most popular in the country for the field. UMBC also ranks #24 in popularity in Maryland for students seeking a public policy degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending UMBC.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$11,178 |
$18,846 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$2,376 |
$2,376 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$621 |
$1,047 |
Across all programs, there were 613 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 514 were classified as teaching assistants, and 99 were classified as research assistants.
UNLV is ranked #24 on our list due to it handing out doctor's degrees in public policy to 4 students in 2017-2018. UNLV also ranks #24 in popularity in Nevada for students seeking a public policy degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending UNLV.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$5,144 |
$19,332 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$632 |
$632 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$269 |
$566 |
In 2017-2018, UNLV reported having 978 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 573 were classified as teaching assistants, and 320 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
At New School University, 4 doctorates were awarded in 2017-2018 in public policy, which makes the school come in at #24 on our list. New School University also ranks #24 in popularity in New York for students seeking a public policy degree.
The following table gives an overview of the average costs for graduate students attending New School University.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$44,247 |
$44,247 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$360 |
$360 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$1,795 |
$1,795 |
In a typical year, there are 820 graduate assistants in all departments combined at the school. Of that number, 282 were classified as teaching assistants, and 247 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
Doctorates in public policy were awarded to 4 students at Southern University and A & M College in 2017-2018. This puts the school in the #24 spot on our list. Southern University and A & M College also ranks #24 in popularity in Louisiana for students seeking a public policy degree.
Graduate students at Southern University and A & M College can expect to pay the following average costs.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$5,336 |
$5,336 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$4,644 |
$13,996 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$388 |
$388 |
Across all programs, there were 114 graduate assistants at the school in 2017-2018. Of that number, 64 were classified as teaching assistants, and 26 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
About 4 students earned doctor's degrees in public policy at Clemson University in 2017-2018, making the school the 24th most popular in the nation. Clemson also ranks #24 in popularity in South Carolina for students seeking a public policy degree.
This table gives a breakdown of the average costs for graduate students attending Clemson.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full-Time Tuition |
$9,226 |
$19,528 |
|
Fees for Full-Time Students |
$918 |
$918 |
|
Part-Time per Credit Hour |
$636 |
$1,290 |
In 2017-2018, Clemson reported having 2,033 graduate assistants across all departments at the school. Of that number, 1,060 were classified as teaching assistants, and 624 were classified as research assistants. The remaining GAs were categorized as Other.
A note on these rankings: The colleges above are ranked by the number of graduates in the program meaning the largest programs are at the top. While program popularity does not necessarily indicate quality, it does mean that many students are successfully graduating from the program, thus, making them worthwhile programs to consider.
References
National Center for Education Statistics
Image Credit: By The Official CTBTO Photostream under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
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