Best Public Policy Programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's widely understood that Duke has the best undergrad public policy program, not just in terms of ranking (depth/breadth of the department historically) but in terms of actual educational/professor quality.

However, with that said, undergrad public policy at the better institutions is more broadly understood as a liberal arts major closer to political economy or economics with a political tilt, so I would also look closely at institutions with strength in those areas even if they aren't necessarily exactly known for having a "public policy" major as such. Yale, for example, has an "ethics, politics, and economics" major which is virtually identical to what Duke calls public policy, so it might not be a bad idea to take a look at other institutions as well.

Widely understood by who? I'm baffled by this take and can't tell if you just have children at Duke or attended. I could see Duke as maybe top 5-10 range, but not number 1.

+1

I'm in the field and this is a thing you hear a lot. I also know about 10 million duke policy grads. They infiltrate DC every summer and after graduation lol. Sorry duke haters.

10 million? You’re a Dukie too.

Are you familiar with hyperbole in colloquial writing?

Yes, I am familiar with the term. Hyperbole=Duke

So true! I was a hiring manager, and I never encountered a Duke resume. I also never met a Duke public policy grad.

GW is not at all respected. Georgetown mediocre. SAIS is, too. Best students substantively were from Princeton and Chicago. Harvard students can talk a good game but lack analytical and quantitative skills. What, run a regression???

[Anonymous]

I’m the OP. You Duke haters are strange.

Thanks to everyone who provided substantive info. Lots of good stuff to think about!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. You Duke haters are strange.

Thanks to everyone who provided substantive info. Lots of good stuff to think about!

It’s not really hate. I’m sure Duke has an incredible public policy program, but it is a big stretch to treat it like it’s well known in industry. UChicago is a place that I do think is very underrated- very rigorous academics and great quantitative training. Same with grads from Princeton, and unlike PP, Harvard grads. Many colleges can be great at something, but it doesn’t make them “industry known”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. You Duke haters are strange.

Thanks to everyone who provided substantive info. Lots of good stuff to think about!

It’s not really hate. I’m sure Duke has an incredible public policy program, but it is a big stretch to treat it like it’s well known in industry. UChicago is a place that I do think is very underrated- very rigorous academics and great quantitative training. Same with grads from Princeton, and unlike PP, Harvard grads. Many colleges can be great at something, but it doesn’t make them “industry known”

Thanks. I’m the OP, and that’s the question I asked - which are the best public policy programs? Not which programs are “well known in industry.”

And of course there’s no need for people to bicker or split hairs between which program deserves to be viewed as #1 vs. #2 etc. My request was for good programs (plural) to consider. Sounds like Duke is one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. You Duke haters are strange.

Thanks to everyone who provided substantive info. Lots of good stuff to think about!

It’s not really hate. I’m sure Duke has an incredible public policy program, but it is a big stretch to treat it like it’s well known in industry. UChicago is a place that I do think is very underrated- very rigorous academics and great quantitative training. Same with grads from Princeton, and unlike PP, Harvard grads. Many colleges can be great at something, but it doesn’t make them “industry known”

Thanks. I’m the OP, and that’s the question I asked - which are the best public policy programs? Not which programs are “well known in industry.”

And of course there’s no need for people to bicker or split hairs between which program deserves to be viewed as #1 vs. #2 etc. My request was for good programs (plural) to consider. Sounds like Duke is one of them.

DP, but there tends to be overlap? Can’t really be the best if no one knows you. For what it’s worth, I’m putting Harvard into the hat, not just because it’s my Alma mater, but it factually does have the most representation in government, political science, and policy work in the United States.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. You Duke haters are strange.

Thanks to everyone who provided substantive info. Lots of good stuff to think about!

It’s not really hate. I’m sure Duke has an incredible public policy program, but it is a big stretch to treat it like it’s well known in industry. UChicago is a place that I do think is very underrated- very rigorous academics and great quantitative training. Same with grads from Princeton, and unlike PP, Harvard grads. Many colleges can be great at something, but it doesn’t make them “industry known”

Thanks. I’m the OP, and that’s the question I asked - which are the best public policy programs? Not which programs are “well known in industry.”

And of course there’s no need for people to bicker or split hairs between which program deserves to be viewed as #1 vs. #2 etc. My request was for good programs (plural) to consider. Sounds like Duke is one of them.

OP, the response you’re seeing is from professionals in the industry who find it laughable to call Duke a top policy school. It’s just not. At least not in the top 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. You Duke haters are strange.

Thanks to everyone who provided substantive info. Lots of good stuff to think about!

It’s not really hate. I’m sure Duke has an incredible public policy program, but it is a big stretch to treat it like it’s well known in industry. UChicago is a place that I do think is very underrated- very rigorous academics and great quantitative training. Same with grads from Princeton, and unlike PP, Harvard grads. Many colleges can be great at something, but it doesn’t make them “industry known”

Thanks. I’m the OP, and that’s the question I asked - which are the best public policy programs? Not which programs are “well known in industry.”

And of course there’s no need for people to bicker or split hairs between which program deserves to be viewed as #1 vs. #2 etc. My request was for good programs (plural) to consider. Sounds like Duke is one of them.

OP, the response you’re seeing is from professionals in the industry who find it laughable to call Duke a top policy school. It’s just not. At least not in the top 10.

I also find it laughable that Duke is considered a top ten school. Where are all its top ten programs? How many of the other top ten schools are lacking in the number top ten academic discipline rankings like Duke?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. You Duke haters are strange.

Thanks to everyone who provided substantive info. Lots of good stuff to think about!

It’s not really hate. I’m sure Duke has an incredible public policy program, but it is a big stretch to treat it like it’s well known in industry. UChicago is a place that I do think is very underrated- very rigorous academics and great quantitative training. Same with grads from Princeton, and unlike PP, Harvard grads. Many colleges can be great at something, but it doesn’t make them “industry known”

Thanks. I’m the OP, and that’s the question I asked - which are the best public policy programs? Not which programs are “well known in industry.”

And of course there’s no need for people to bicker or split hairs between which program deserves to be viewed as #1 vs. #2 etc. My request was for good programs (plural) to consider. Sounds like Duke is one of them.

OP, the response you’re seeing is from professionals in the industry who find it laughable to call Duke a top policy school. It’s just not. At least not in the top 10.

I'm pretty sure it always has been tops for policy for as long as I can remember. At least by USNews which no one really cares about anymore, but certainly Duke is absolutely one of the best for policy.

[Anonymous]

Duke is alright, but wouldn't put it anywhere near the best colleges for public policy undergrad, maybe not even top 5.

[Anonymous]

Harvard for undergrad; Masters at the Kennedy School

[Anonymous]

William & Mary has a terrific program, with its own Board of Directors, unusual for them. Stay 5 years and earn Masters