Public Policy (PhD)

Tuition fees for Public Policy (PhD) are 29,500 USD per year.

This PhD program trains scholars and professionals to address national and international public policy issues. It combines focus on substantive policy areas with advanced training in a disciplinary area, empirical methods, and multidisciplinary approaches. Students work closely with other graduate fields at Cornell.

Focus areas include data science and technology policy, education policy, environmental and sustainability policy, demography and family policy, global security, health policy.

Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee. Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected each semester through graduation.

Graduates gain skills to shape and evaluate policy, entering faculty positions in academic institutions or leadership roles in the public and private sectors.

Applicants must meet all Graduate School requirements, including English language proficiency. Required documents include two letters of recommendation. The GRE general test is required.

In Person, Ithaca, NY. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 8% of applicants.

Cornell University, founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is an Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with broad public engagement. As both a privately endowed institution and New York State's statutory land-grant university, Cornell brings together liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, and professional schools to offer wide academic choice across more than twenty colleges and programs. Its historic mission emphasizes teaching, research, and service, making Cornell a global destination for students seeking depth and interdisciplinary opportunity.

Academically, Cornell is known for high-impact research across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields. With about 25,582 students and over 6,200 international learners, the campus provides extensive resources including research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and industry partnerships that support undergraduate and graduate training. Students benefit from hands-on learning, internship networks, and faculty mentorship that often include international collaborations and community-engaged projects.

Life in Ithaca balances scenic natural spaces with a lively arts and dining scene and strong student services, from career counseling to study abroad advising. Residential options, student clubs, and entrepreneurial hubs help newcomers settle in and build professional pathways both in the United States and abroad. For international applicants seeking world-class research, wide program choice, and a community that values public service and innovation, Cornell offers a supportive and stimulating environment.