Public Policy (BA) at Cornell University

Programme overview

This program is offered through a partnership between the Brooks School of Public Policy and the College of Arts & Sciences. The study of public policy is a comprehensive exploration of the politics and mechanisms that shape policy formulation and execution, coupled with an assessment of their effects on society’s welfare and quality of life.

Faculty: College of Arts & Sciences / Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy | Duration: 120 credits minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ithaca, NY, United States

What you will study

I n addition to meeting all Public Policy (BA) prerequisites and major requirements as determined by the Brooks School undergraduate curriculum committee, students must meet the Arts and Sciences Distribution requirements. Students must receive a C- or better in all major requirements.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university through the undergraduate college that offers the major (College of Arts & Sciences / Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy); no separate programme-specific admission requirement is listed in the catalogue entry. See Cornell undergraduate admissions.

USD 73,946 a year (2026-27). Endowed Ithaca undergraduate tuition (Architecture, Art and Planning; Arts and Sciences; Engineering; Hotel Administration), one rate for all students; tuition only, excludes mandatory fees, housing and meals. The programme is listed under an endowed coll Source

First-year applicants: Early Decision (binding) and Regular Decision for fall entry. Transfer applications are considered for the fall semester only.

First-year Early Decision: application and fee due November 1, other required materials November 13, decisions mid-December. Regular Decision: application and fee due January 2, other materials January 19, decisions late March. Applications are submitted through the Common Application; the application fee is $85 (fee waiver available). SAT or ACT scores are required for first-year applicants.

Transfer applicants: application and fee due March 15, other required materials April 15, decisions late April through June, for fall entry only. Applications use the Transfer Common Application; the fee is $85. SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.cornell.edu/how-to-apply

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