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Public Administration · Public Policy Analysis Rank #8 of 40

Public Policy Analysisat University of Chicago

Graduates earn $60,057/yr in their first year — about 29.0% above the national Public Policy Analysis average. Base-case 10-year earnings $814K; scenarios range from $695K to $843K depending on AI disruption.

Chicago, IL Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
51
Pessimistic
Earnings
$60,057
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$814K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Chicago

Earning a Public Policy Analysis degree from a globally recognized institution like the University of Chicago positions you uniquely. Your rigorous training here emphasizes advanced analytical and quantitative methods, skills highly sought after across a spectrum of sectors. This explains the strong outcomes and diverse career trajectories, from shaping policy in think tanks to leading strategic initiatives in large healthcare systems or consulting firms. The university's prestige, coupled with its Chicago location, provides unparalleled access to a robust ecosystem of government agencies, non-profits, and international organizations actively recruiting top talent. You'll benefit from a powerful alumni network and a curriculum that prepares you for complex problem-solving. To truly excel, focus on internships that allow you to apply your analytical toolkit to a specific industry, building specialized expertise that differentiates you in the job market.

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
$695K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$814K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple3.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$843K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Chicago's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Public Policy Analysis 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
Political scientists
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$139,380/yr
Moderate
2
Medical and health services managers
+23.2% 10-yr growth · 62,100 openings/yr
$117,960/yr
Moderate
3
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
4
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
5
Political science teachers, postsecondary
+2.0% 10-yr growth · 1,600 openings/yr
$94,680/yr
Moderate
6
Education teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 5,600 openings/yr
$72,090/yr
Moderate
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 Analysis

How University of Chicago stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Princeton University
NJ · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Dickinson College
PA · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
1.4x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Brown University
RI · Private nonprofit
44
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Also at University of Chicago

Other top programs at University of Chicago

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Chicago, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Public Policy Analysis at University of Chicago

What does a 56/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Policy Analysis at University of Chicago?

At 56/100, University of Chicago's Public Policy Analysis program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Public Policy Analysis at University of Chicago?

The 49% 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 Chicago one of the best schools for Public Policy Analysis?

Among 40 Public Policy Analysis programs, University of Chicago's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What do students actually pay for Public Policy Analysis at University of Chicago?

The 72% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $267,756. At a net cost of $75,868, the earnings multiple improves substantially.