Public Policy at University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Public Administration
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,877/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (528,800 openings/yr)
ROI
14.0x earnings multiple (6.4x 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 | $549K | $543K | $502K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.1x | 14.0x | 12.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.4x | 6.4x | 5.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 54% | 49% | 37% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 61 | 60 | 59 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,912
Out-of-state: $85,088 (6.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,082
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,244
42% growth from Year 1
About University of Northern Iowa
A 94% acceptance rate means University of Northern Iowa is accessible to most applicants, serving 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →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 Northern Iowa
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Policy at University of Northern Iowa?
At 60/100, 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 Northern Iowa?
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 Northern Iowa a good choice for Public Policy despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Northern Iowa'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 →