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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region

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Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2021-2022, 6,484 people earned their degree in public policy, making the major the 113th most popular in the United States. In , public policy graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $49,451 and had an average of $32,327 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 1,271 public policy graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,417 and $28,438 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region” ranking analyzed 32 colleges that offered a degree in public policy. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in public policy.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 “Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Public Policy in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 288 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Duke University Public Policy Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 172 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

3
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 181 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Policy at University of Virginia

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it awarded 53 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at William & Mary

5
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Regent University. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s public policy students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Regent

6
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 58 ’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full Vanderbilt Public Policy Report

7
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Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #7. JU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 12 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full JU Public Policy Report

8
Tuskegee crest
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama

With a ranking of #8, Tuskegee University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Tuskegee, Alabama, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s public policy students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Tuskegee Public Policy Report

9
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Young Harris College
Young Harris, Georgia

Young Harris College ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Young Harris College is a small school located in Young Harris, Georgia that handed out 0 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at YHC

10
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Ole Miss is a large public school situated in University, Mississippi. It awarded 55 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Policy at University of Mississippi

11
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George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

With a ranking of #11, George Mason University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 92 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at George Mason University

12
Oakwood crest
Oakwood University
Huntsville, Alabama

With a ranking of #12, Oakwood University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified ’s public policy students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Oakwood Public Policy Report

13

Southern University and A & M College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Southern University and A & M College is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Public Policy at Southern University and A & M College

14

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #14. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 50 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

15
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #15. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public policy degrees to 37 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Georgia State Public Policy Report

16
Mercer crest
Mercer University
Macon, Georgia

Mercer University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Mercer is located in Macon, Georgia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9 ’s public policy degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Mercer Public Policy Report

17
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #17. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 105 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Liberty University

18
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #18, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 15 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at Virginia Tech

19
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #19. Augusta University is a public institution located in Augusta, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at Augusta University

20
TNU crest
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #20, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full TNU Public Policy Report

21

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

22
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

With a ranking of #22, Marshall University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. Located in Huntington, West Virginia, this fairly large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at Marshall University

23
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 8 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Policy at American Military University

24
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University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s public policy students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Kentucky Public Policy Report

25
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

With a ranking of #25, University of Arkansas did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Public Policy Major in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and it awarded 5 ’s public policy degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Policy at UARK

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References

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