Public Policyat Upper Iowa University
Graduates earn $61,104/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Public Policy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $638K; scenarios range from $573K to $654K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University's Public Policy graduates start at $61,104/yr — above the $49,353 national average, though not by a wide margin.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.4x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
Some AI exposure exists in Public Policy's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $25,000 in median debt clears quickly against $61,104 in annual earnings.
At #12 of 45 Public Policy programs, Upper Iowa University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $61,104 to $75,905 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Upper Iowa University'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
How Upper Iowa University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Upper Iowa University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Upper Iowa University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Public Policy offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Public Policy trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Public Policy at Upper Iowa University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy at Upper Iowa University?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Public Policy nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Public Policy careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $572,767 in decade earnings vs $653,661 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.