Public Policyat Indiana University-Indianapolis
Graduates earn $43,110/yr in their first year — about 13.0% below the national Public Policy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $574K; scenarios range from $525K to $582K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Indiana University-Indianapolis
At $43,110/yr, Public Policy graduates from Indiana University-Indianapolis land near the $49,353 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Policy programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Public Policy's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $20,625 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #18 of 45 Public Policy programs, Indiana University-Indianapolis scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $43,110 to $61,050 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Indiana University-Indianapolis's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Public Policy
How Indiana University-Indianapolis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Indiana University-Indianapolis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Indiana University-Indianapolis, 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 →Frequently asked about Public Policy at Indiana University-Indianapolis
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy at Indiana University-Indianapolis?
A score of 66/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Public Policy field.
Will AI replace Public Policy careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $524,579 in decade earnings vs $582,234 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.