Public Policy Analysis at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,642/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (107,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #17 of 40 Public Policy Analysis programs Top 50%

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 $509K $508K $475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 11.0x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.2x 3.2x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,460
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $45,642/yr, Public Policy Analysis graduates from University of Maryland-College Park land near the $46,424 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Policy Analysis programs nationally.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $20,460 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #17 of 40 Public Policy Analysis programs, University of Maryland-College Park scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About University of Maryland-College Park

University of Maryland-College Park accepts 45% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 30,246 students enrolled in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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

Public Policy Analysis at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy Analysis at University of Maryland-College Park?
A score of 47/100 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 $474,711 in decade earnings vs $509,277 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →