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Public Administration · Public Policy Rank #27 of 45

Public Policyat Texas State University

Graduates earn $46,491/yr in their first year — about 6.0% below the national Public Policy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $511K; scenarios range from $478K to $513K depending on AI disruption.

San Marcos, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
62 SOLID
63
Optimistic
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,491
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$511K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Texas State University

At $46,491/yr, Public Policy graduates from Texas State University land near the $49,353 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 11.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Policy career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,141 against $46,491/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #27 ranking among 45 Public Policy programs places Texas State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $46,491 to $52,103 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

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
$478K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple10.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$511K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$513K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Texas State 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 Texas State 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 Texas State University

Other top programs at Texas State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Texas State 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 Texas State University

What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Policy at Texas State University?

At 62/100, the score looks reasonable — but Public Policy is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Public Policy at Texas State 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.