Public Policy Analysisat University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduates earn $48,252/yr in their first year — about 4.0% above the national Public Policy Analysis average. Base-case 10-year earnings $627K; scenarios range from $560K to $639K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Your Public Policy Analysis degree from UNC Chapel Hill leverages the university's strong reputation, particularly within the robust Research Triangle ecosystem. The program's analytical rigor prepares you for diverse roles, reflected in career paths ranging from government and non-profit work in Raleigh to healthcare administration and research within the region's numerous institutions. The consistent demand for data-driven insights in these sectors, particularly in public health and state policy, underpins your post-graduation earnings potential.
While some tasks involving data aggregation and initial report drafting may face high AI risk, the core of policy analysis—critical thinking, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication—remains inherently human. Developing strong communication and advocacy skills will be crucial. Actively network with alumni in North Carolina's public agencies, healthcare systems like UNC Health, and local think tanks to best leverage your degree.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Public Policy Analysis
How University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Public Policy Analysis at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy Analysis at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Public Policy Analysis field.
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 $560,222 in decade earnings vs $639,072 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Public Policy Analysis program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 40 programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.