BA Public Policy at Stanford University

Programme overview

Public Policy is an interdisciplinary program connecting the theoretical and analytical tools of economics, political science, philosophy, psychology, and law with their real-world policy applications. The Public Policy undergraduate major develops the skills necessary for understanding the political constraints faced by policymakers, assessing the performance of alternative approaches to policy implementation, evaluating the effectiveness of policies, and appreciating the sharp conflicts in fundamental human values that often animate the policy debate.

Faculty: School of Humanities and Sciences | Department: Public Policy | Duration: 60 units in the programme; 180 minimum university units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Stanford, CA, United States

What you will study

Programme load is 60 units in the programme and 180 minimum university units. Requirements are organised into: Core Program Requirements; Writing in the Major (WIM); Capstone; Honors; Advanced Policy Analysis Subplan; Computational Public Policy Subplan; Design of Public Institutions Subplan.

Career pathways

Students majoring in Public Policy are prepared for careers in various fields, including elected or appointed public office; business, law, and governmental agencies; research institutes; or for further study in graduate programs.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Stanford University, not to a major: first-year applicants apply through the Common Application with ACT or SAT scores, the School Report and counselor recommendation, official transcripts and letters of recommendation from two academic teachers (Restrictive Early Action deadline November 1; Regular Decision deadline January 5). Majors are declared after enrolment; no separate programme application. Programme-specific prerequisites are listed in the requirements of the major.

USD 67,731 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate full-time tuition for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters combined; a single undergraduate rate applies to all undergraduate majors and is stated for all students. Excludes student fees, housing and food, books and personal expenses. The unde Source

Tuition is charged for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters (Summer quarter also billed separately). Graduate programmes such as PhD and Master's in Computer Science admit for Autumn entry only; Education PhD and Master's programmes begin September 20, 2027.

First-year applicants apply through the Common Application. Restrictive Early Action deadline is October 15 with an optional arts portfolio or November 1 for the standard application, with decisions by mid-December. Regular Decision deadline is December 5 with an optional arts portfolio or January 5 for the standard application, with decisions by early April. The reply date is May 1. The application fee is $100, nonrefundable, or a fee waiver request. ACT or SAT scores are required.

Transfer applicants apply through the Common Application by March 15, with decisions by mid-May. The application fee is $100 or a fee waiver request, and ACT or SAT scores are required.

ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year applicants, with no minimum score; Stanford has no preferred exam.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/

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