College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Policy in California

16 Colleges in California
480 Master's Degrees
$60,440 Avg Early-Career Salary
Public Policy is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #52 most popular master's degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools in California to determine which ones were the most popular for public policy students pursuing a master's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 480 master's degrees in public policy to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Public Policy School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Policy in California The public policy master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. We created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Policy in California ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of public policy students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

More Ways to Rank Public Policy Schools

Bachelor's Degrees in Public Policy
Doctor's Degrees in Public Policy
Overall Popularity in Public Policy

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for public policy.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in public policy.

10 Most Well Attended Schools for Public Policy Students Working on Their Master's

1
126 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of California - Berkeley if you want to pursue a master's degree in public policy. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the city of Berkeley. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public policy in California.

There were about 126 public policy students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year.

Public Policy master's degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley earn a boost of around $15,560 over the average income of public policy graduates.

More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - Berkeley

2
96 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Best Quality In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in public policy needs to look into University of Southern California. USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in public policy in California.

There were approximately 96 public policy individuals who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's students who receive their degree from the public policy program make around $55,000 for their early career.

More information about a master’s in public policy from University of Southern California

3
58 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

University of California - Los Angeles is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in public policy. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in public policy in California.

There were roughly 58 public policy students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, public policy master's recipients usually make around $59,300 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - Los Angeles

4
44 Annual Master's Degrees
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

University of California - San Diego is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in public policy. UCSD is a very large public university located in the city of La Jolla.

There were approximately 44 public policy individuals who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - San Diego

5
26 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in public policy in California.

There were approximately 26 public policy individuals who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's students who receive their degree from the public policy program make around $49,300 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a master’s in public policy from Pepperdine University

6
23 Annual Master's Degrees
#7 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the midsize city of Thousand Oaks, CLU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for master's degrees in public policy in California.

There were about 23 public policy students who graduated with this degree at CLU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public policy from California Lutheran University

6
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
23 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Stanford. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in public policy in California.

There were approximately 23 public policy students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public policy from Stanford University

8
22 Annual Master's Degrees
#6 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

UC Irvine is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Irvine. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in public policy in California.

There were about 22 public policy individuals who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - Irvine

8
22 Annual Master's Degrees
#9 Best Quality In CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of Riverside, UCR is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for master's degrees in public policy in California.

There were roughly 22 public policy individuals who graduated with this degree at UCR in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - Riverside

10
13 Annual Master's Degrees
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

Located in the city of San Francisco, UCSF is a public university with a small student population.

There were about 13 public policy individuals who graduated with this degree at UCSF in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public policy from University of California - San Francisco


 

Best Public Policy Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Public Policy Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 184 29
Oregon 151 34
Nevada 100 0

View All Rankings >

Public Policy is one of 5 different types of Public Administration & Social Service programs to choose from.

Public Policy Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Public Policy Analysis 412
Other Public Policy Analysis 42
Health Policy Analysis 26

Related Major Annual Graduates
Social Work 3,294
Public Administration 1,497
Human Services 55
Other Public Administration 21
Community Organization & Advocacy 4

Notes and References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options