Public Policy Analysis at William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,703/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (107,800 openings/yr)
ROI 6.1x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #27 of 40 Public Policy Analysis programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Policy Analysis graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $627K $616K $552K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.3x 6.1x 5.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.1x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$100,160
Out-of-state: $197,648 (3.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$90,116
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,860
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $36,703/yr fall 21% below the $46,424 national median for Public Policy Analysis. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Policy Analysis's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $36,703 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #27 of 40 Public Policy Analysis programs, William & Mary falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $63,860 show a 74% jump from the $36,703 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About William & Mary

William & Mary admits 33% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, enrolling 6,949 students in Williamsburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at William & Mary →

Top Career Paths

Political scientists $139,380/yr
Medical and health services managers $117,960/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy Analysis at William & Mary?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Public Policy Analysis. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $552,079 in decade earnings vs $626,712 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Public Policy Analysis from William & Mary?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →