Public Policy Analysis at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,005/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (107,800 openings/yr)
ROI 7.7x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #24 of 40 Public Policy Analysis programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Policy Analysis graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $493K $493K $464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.7x 7.7x 7.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.8x 2.8x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (2.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,004
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,822
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$53,925
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,005 track close to the $46,424 national median for Public Policy Analysis programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Policy Analysis's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,822 represents roughly 7 months of the $43,005 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #24 of 40 Public Policy Analysis programs, Michigan State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State University →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Medical and health services managers $117,960/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy Analysis at Michigan State University?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Public Policy Analysis. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Public Policy Analysis careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $463,912 in decade earnings vs $492,881 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →