Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Policy (Income $30-$48k)

34 Ranked Colleges
242 Degrees Awarded
$34,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 6,199 people earned their degree in public policy, making the major the 116th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public policy graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $52,077 and had an average of $35,743 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 242 public policy graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 34 colleges that offered a degree in public policy. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public policy programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public policy program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Policy Schools

The public policy school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Policy (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harvard is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 24 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654.

Read full report on Public Policy at Harvard

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Duke University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 1 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke also made our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Policy at Duke University

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 6 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UChicago Public Policy Report

#4

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Princeton University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Princeton, New Jersey. It awarded 2 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470.

Read more about Public Policy at Princeton University

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public policy degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read full report on Public Policy at U-M

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at University of California - Berkeley

#7

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#13 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read more about Public Policy at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#8

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#22 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read more about Public Policy at Indiana University - Bloomington

#9

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carnegie Mellon University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 3 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon University are $47,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University

#10

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMCP is a large public school situated in College Park, Maryland. It awarded 6 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Maryland - College Park Public Policy Report

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

Read full report on Public Policy at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#12

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
#4 in overall quality

George Washington University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public policy students in 2019-2020.

GWU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Washington University are $31,824, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at George Washington University

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 2 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Policy at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#14 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public policy students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Austin Public Policy Report

#15

University of Southern Maine

Portland, Maine
#21 in overall quality

University of Southern Maine landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Portland, Maine, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Southern Maine also made our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Maine are $22,308, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at University of Southern Maine

#16

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

George Mason University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. GMU is a public institution located in Fairfax, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at GMU

#17

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#18 in overall quality

Portland State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Portland State University is located in Portland, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

Portland State University also made our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Portland State University are $23,784.

Read full report on Public Policy at Portland State University

#18

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 2 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.

Full University of Southern California Public Policy Report

#17 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610.

Read full report on Public Policy at The University of Texas at Dallas

#20

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York
#19 in overall quality

Niagara University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Niagara University, New York is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s public policy degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Niagara not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Niagara University are $14,893, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Policy at Niagara University

#21

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts
#16 in overall quality

University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Boston did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMass Boston are $36,485, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of Massachusetts - Boston

#22

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#15 in overall quality

Clemson University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Clemson, South Carolina, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public policy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Clemson has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson are $23,246, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at Clemson University

#23

Rutgers University - Camden

Camden, New Jersey

Rutgers University - Camden did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Rutgers University - Camden is a medium-sized public school situated in Camden, New Jersey. It awarded 2 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers University - Camden are $31,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Policy at Rutgers University - Camden

#24

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UARK is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 4 doctorate’s public policy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UARK are $22,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Policy at UARK

#23 in overall quality

University of Maryland - Baltimore County landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Policy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this fairly large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public policy students in 2019-2020.

UMBC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Public Policy Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMBC are $21,078, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Policy at UMBC

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

Featured Public Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You