Home Schools Florida Atlantic University Public Policy
Public Administration · Public Policy Rank #5 of 45

Public Policyat Florida Atlantic University

Graduates earn $46,047/yr in their first year — about 7.0% below the national Public Policy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $561K; scenarios range from $515K to $568K depending on AI disruption.

Boca Raton, FL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
73 STRONG
73
Optimistic
69
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,047
1-year post-graduation
ROI
29.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$561K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Florida Atlantic University

Your earnings potential with a Public Administration degree from FAU often reflects the regional labor market and the nature of public service. While offering stability and strong community impact, government and non-profit salaries in Florida tend to be consistent rather than explosive, explaining why initial income might be below some national averages that include programs feeding into higher-paying private sector consulting. You'll likely find fulfilling roles in city and county government throughout South Florida, state agencies, or local non-profits, where the program's regional focus provides a strong pipeline.

The high AI risk associated with public administration highlights the evolving landscape of administrative work. Many routine data analysis, compliance, and reporting tasks common in these fields are increasingly automated. To truly thrive, you'll need to cultivate advanced skills in strategic planning, complex problem-solving, policy development, and human-centric leadership that AI cannot replicate. Focus on building expertise in areas requiring nuanced judgment and interpersonal communication to future-proof your career and unlock higher-level opportunities.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$515K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple26.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$561K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple28.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$568K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple29.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Florida Atlantic University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Public Policy graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Chief executives
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 22,200 openings/yr
$206,420/yr
High
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
Construction managers
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 46,800 openings/yr
$106,980/yr
Moderate
4
General and operations managers
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 308,700 openings/yr
$102,950/yr
Moderate
5
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
+6.1% 10-yr growth · 18,500 openings/yr
$102,010/yr
Moderate
6
Postmasters and mail superintendents
-3.5% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$92,730/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Public Policy

How Florida Atlantic University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Barry University
FL · Private nonprofit
71
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
4.4x
ROI
National University
CA · Private nonprofit
69
DW Score
$77K
1-yr earn
13.5x
ROI
California State University-Northridge
CA · Public
74
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
25.8x
ROI
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
73
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
22.2x
ROI
Southern New Hampshire University
NH · Private nonprofit
66
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
10.1x
ROI
Also at Florida Atlantic University

Other top programs at Florida Atlantic University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Florida Atlantic University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Public Policy offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Public Policy trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Public Policy at Florida Atlantic University

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Policy at Florida Atlantic University?

At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Public Policy at Florida Atlantic University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Florida Atlantic University one of the best schools for Public Policy?

Among 45 Public Policy programs, Florida Atlantic University's #5 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.