Public Policy at University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Public Administration
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,136/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (528,800 openings/yr)
ROI
10.2x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Policy graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $564K | $557K | $512K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.3x | 10.2x | 9.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.4x | 3.4x | 3.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 54% | 49% | 37% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 58 | 57 | 56 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,504
Out-of-state: $164,380 (3.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,202
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,287
46% growth from Year 1
About University of Arizona
University of Arizona has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 40,769 students enrolled in Tucson, AZ.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Arizona →Top Career Paths
Chief executives
$206,420/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Construction managers
$106,980/yr
Compare & Explore
Public Policy at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of Arizona
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 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Policy at University of Arizona?
At 57/100, 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 University of Arizona?
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 University of Arizona a good choice for Public Policy despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Arizona'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 →