BS Public Policy Analysis at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Everyone has a cause they’re passionate about. A degree in public policy analysis gives you the tools to put your passion into action. The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is committed to inspiring and developing future public leaders and professionals who will tackle challenging societal problems. With a degree in public policy analysis, students learn to develop policy solutions to make positive change in their communities and receive extensive interdisciplinary training in techniques used to assess the government's adoption of public policies.

Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

Students in the major take core public affairs courses offered through the Glenn College and can take additional courses from departments such as political science and economics. An array of minors is also offered in conjunction with other units throughout the university. Examples include nonprofit management, local government, law and public policy, and science and engineering policy. Students also complete a capstone research project on a topic of their choosing.

Career pathways

Graduates of programs in the Glenn College are prepared for entry-level opportunities in management or analysis with government agencies and nonprofit organizations. On average, 98% of Glenn College alumni are employed or enrolled in graduate/professional programs after graduation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. Students can apply to Ohio State directly as majors in public policy analysis at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Current Ohio State students may declare the major at any time. The public policy analysis major also pairs well with many other majors on campus as part of a double major program.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,921 a year (2026-27). Columbus campus on-campus Instructional Fee (tuition) for students beginning Autumn 2026: $6,460.50 per semester at 12-18 credit hours, shown as two semesters (Autumn and Spring). The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee fixes this rate for four years for Ohio re Source

Entry terms for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus: Autumn 2027 and Spring 2027 (Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026). Summer first-year applications are not accepted.

Transfer applicants can start in Spring, Summer or Autumn 2027.

First-year, Columbus campus, Autumn 2027: early action (non-binding) deadline November 1, 2026; regular decision deadline January 15, 2027; financial aid priority date February 1; acceptance fee deadline May 1, 2027. Early action decisions: December 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants) and January 22 (non-Ohio residents and international applicants); regular decision decisions March 5.

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year Columbus applicants (superscored; sent directly by the testing agency); applicants out of high school two or more years are not required to submit scores. The essay is not required.

Transfer applicants (Columbus campus): Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027; Summer 2027 deadline May 15, 2027. Regional campuses: December 1, 2026, April 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027 respectively.

International transfer applicants: Spring 2027 deadline October 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply

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