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Public Policy Analysis at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
62
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,685/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (107,800 openings/yr)
ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 40 Public Policy Analysis programs Top 5%

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 $765K $742K $643K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 10.8x 9.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.2x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 62 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$68,912
Out-of-state: $232,288 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,328
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,020
73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $49,685 per year, Public Policy Analysis graduates from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor earn slightly above the $46,424 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 10.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $21,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #2 out of 40 programs, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Public Policy Analysis program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $49,685 to $86,020 over five years (73% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

A 18% acceptance rate puts University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in competitive admissions territory, with 33,488 students enrolled in Ann Arbor, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor →

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

Compare this program → View all 40 schools offering Public Policy Analysis →

Public Policy Analysis at Other Schools

Cornell University ($77,906) Princeton University ($73,630) Dickinson College ($61,592) Duke University ($60,501) University of Chicago ($60,057) Brown University ($58,161) Vanderbilt University ($57,023) Trinity College ($56,902)

Other Majors at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($113,634) Computer Software and Media Applications ($98,117) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($93,674) Computer Engineering ($92,501) Information Science/Studies ($88,515) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($87,606) Industrial Engineering ($86,476) Mechanical Engineering ($82,823)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Public Policy Analysis program score?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Public Policy Analysis graduates.
How vulnerable is Public Policy Analysis to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Public Policy Analysis careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor rank so high for Public Policy Analysis?
The #2 ranking out of 40 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →