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39 Best Public Master's Economics & Public Policy Universities in the United States

Johns Hopkins University leads the 39 Public Master's Economics & Public Policy universities in the United States at #24 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is followed by University of California, Berkeley (QS World #28) and Georgia Institute of Technology (QS World #123). Across the whole list there are 68 courses to choose from.

39 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
34Ranked
AP American Public University System logo
#1,347 in United States United States

American Public University System

Public University · 4 courses in Master's Economics & Public Policy

Tuition (indicative)
Founded
Students
International
Admissions open
#1,347 in United States · by research impact
12,244 citations · h-index 46
36Ranked
IW Institute for World Politics logo
#1,603 in United States United States
#1,603 in United States · by research impact
5,024 citations · h-index 17
37Ranked
CE College of Eastern Utah logo
#1,864 in United States United States
#1,864 in United States · by research impact
1,949 citations · h-index 23

Economics & Public Policy at other levels

How these universities are ranked

9 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #24 (Johns Hopkins University) to #545 (CUNY Baruch College); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: Johns Hopkins University is cited most (78,461,703 citations). 1 university have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

39 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, California (1), Texas (1) and Washington (1) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is University of California, Berkeley, founded in 1868. University of California, Berkeley is the largest, with 45,000 students.

What the courses look like

Within the subject, the largest areas are Economics & Public Policy (64), Public Policy (3) and Economics (1). The usual length is 1–2 years and 2 years. 83% are full-time and 8 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (100% of courses with a stated intake). Institute for World Politics offers the widest choice, with 7 of these courses.

What it costs

We hold indicative fees for 4 of these universities. University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at USD 5,274 a year and University of California, Berkeley the most at USD 44,000; the middle of the range is about USD 43,155. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university in the United States for Public Master's Economics & Public Policy?

Johns Hopkins University (QS World #24), University of California, Berkeley (QS World #28) and Georgia Institute of Technology (QS World #123) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Public Master's Economics & Public Policy in the United States?

Of those with published fees, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at about USD 5,274 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How many public universities offer Public Master's Economics & Public Policy in the United States?

39 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Public Master's Economics & Public Policy course take in the United States?

Most listed courses run 1–2 years, with 2 years the next most common.

When do Public Master's Economics & Public Policy courses start in the United States?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Can I study Public Master's Economics & Public Policy online with a university in the United States?

8 of these courses are listed as online.

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