Entry Level Salary
$46,015
Median Salary
$99,960
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
21.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,998,400
Entry (Early)
$46,015
Median (Prime)
$99,960
High (Prime)
$106,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-41k
+405k
+454k
$25k / yr
-131k
+315k
+364k
$50k / yr
-221k
+225k
+274k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
25
25
$25k / yr
Never
29
28
$50k / yr
Never
34
32
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-120%
290%
334%
$50k / yr
-101%
103%
126%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate49%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
8.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$168,825|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Management occupations
7.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,145
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$107,249|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Management analysts
4.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$80,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$106,000|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Top executives
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$208,250|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Postsecondary teachers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$17,698
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Education and childcare administrators
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$62,534
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$102,421|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Social and community service managers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,000|$78,240
openings
18,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.4%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,648|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Project management specialists
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,793
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,000|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Business operations specialists, all other
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,000|$81,270
openings
108,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| public policy analysis. | Bachelor's Degree | 84 | $51,697 - $126,767 |
| public policy analysis. | Post-bacc Certificate | 4 | Data N/A |
| public policy analysis. | Master's Degree | 95 | $66,469 - $129,978 |
| public policy analysis. | Doctoral Degree | 44 | Data N/A |
| public policy analysis. | First Professional Degree | 2 | $113,884 - $113,884 |
| public policy analysis. | Graduate Certificate | 22 | $89,003 - $89,003 |
| security policy and strategy. | Master's Degree | 1 | $121,063 - $121,063 |