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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:

#1

Pardee RAND Graduate School

Santa Monica, California

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees 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

#2

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Niagara University
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
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.

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Harvard University
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.

#4

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Brandeis University
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.

#6

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of California - 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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus
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.

#6

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Georgia State University
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.

#9

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Chicago
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.

#10

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at George Mason University
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.

#10

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Duke University
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.

#12

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, Texas

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at The University of Texas at 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.

#12

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Massachusetts - 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.

#12

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Maryland - College Park
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.

#15

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Saint Louis University
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.

#15

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Portland State University
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at The University of Texas at 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.

#15

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Arkansas
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.

#19

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Massachusetts - 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.

#19

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Princeton University
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.

#19

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at George Washington University
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.

#19

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of North Carolina at 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.

#19

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Southern California
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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Maryland - Baltimore County
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.

#24

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas
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.

#24

The New School

New York, New York

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at The New School
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.

#24

Southern University and A & M College

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Southern University and A & M College
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.

#24

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

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.

Average Graduate Tuition and Fees at Clemson University
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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