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Public Administration at The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,328/yr (-26% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (528,800 openings/yr)

ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #42 of 45 Public Administration programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$577K	$569K	$521K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.9x	9.8x	8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.6x	3.6x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	49%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$58,256

Out-of-state: $160,256 (3.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$69,740

-20% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,000

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,861

59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Texas at Dallas's Public Administration graduates start at $36,328/yr, trailing the $49,353 national average by 26%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

A 9.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,000 in median debt clears quickly against $36,328 in annual earnings.

A #42 ranking among 45 Public Administration programs places The University of Texas at Dallas in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $36,328-to-$57,861 earnings arc over five years reflects a 59% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas's 65% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 21,317 students in Richardson, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at Dallas →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Construction managers $106,980/yr

View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Public Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Texas at Dallas

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Administration at The University of Texas at Dallas?

At 54/100, the score looks reasonable — but Public Administration 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 Administration at The University of Texas at Dallas?

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 The University of Texas at Dallas a good choice for Public Administration despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Texas at Dallas's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →