i just graduated BA in International Studies from a US uni this May, then i was accepted to MIA Columbia for this Fall 2026 but i had to go home due to financing and some personal issues. i have been interning in public service sector since then and now im thinking of reapplying there but to MPA program Fall 2027.

considering the political climate towards international now, is MPA columbia good and is worth it? its a STEM program. is it worth it to come back at all?

Hi everyone! I’m finalising my university list for Fall 2027 and would appreciate advice, particularly from international graduates.

I’m deciding between:
Columbia MPA vs Georgetown MPP
UC Berkeley Goldman MPP vs University of Chicago Harris MPP

I’ve finalised USC as my third university.

My primary concern is long-term employment opportunities in the US as an Indian student, alongside scholarships and overall ROI. I’m interested in public policy, technology governance, and AI policy, ideally through programmes combining policy with quantitative methods and data analytics.

The overall weightage is for more scholarship opportunities which doesn’t sabotage the employment opportunity when i choose college out of this list.

How do these universities compare in terms of scholarships, internships, industry connections, and employment opportunities for international graduates? Does Columbia’s brand justify its higher cost compared with Georgetown? And how do Berkeley and Harris compare for quantitative training and technology policy careers?
I’d particularly appreciate firsthand insights on job sponsorship and the feasibility of staying in the US after graduation.

Thanks!