Is Duke or Tufts better for public policy?

For public policy specifically, Duke usually has the more built-out undergraduate path. Its Sanford School of Public Policy is a major center of the field on campus, with policy-focused faculty, research institutes, internship support, and a clearer pipeline into government, nonprofits, and policy grad programs. If you want a school where public policy is one of the most visible and established academic strengths, Duke has the edge.

Duke tends to fit the student who wants a more structured policy ecosystem. Sanford offers an undergraduate major in public policy, and the school’s policy identity is strong enough that you are not piecing the field together from several departments. That matters if you want easy access to policy research, faculty mentorship, and peers who are also aiming at public service, analysis, advocacy, or law and policy work.

Tufts makes more sense for a student who wants policy through an international or interdisciplinary lens. Its strengths are especially noticeable if your interests lean toward international relations, diplomacy, political science, civic engagement, or NGO work rather than a standalone domestic public policy program. The location near Boston also helps with internships during the school year, and Tufts has a strong culture around public service and global affairs.

If your question is which school has the stronger public policy program overall, Duke is the clearer answer. Tufts is still a very credible choice for policy-minded students, especially those drawn to international issues and a liberal arts style of exploration, but Duke’s Sanford School gives it a more direct and prominent advantage in public policy itself.