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Public Policy Analysis at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $48,252/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (107,800 openings/yr)

ROI 17.4x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #1 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	$639K	$627K	$560K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.8x	17.4x	15.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.0x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	50%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	64	63	59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,956

Out-of-state: $157,320 (4.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,932

-44% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,000

3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,196

45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,252 track close to the $46,424 national median for Public Policy Analysis programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.4x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

At $14,000 in median debt against $48,252 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #1 of 40 nationally, this is a top-5% Public Policy Analysis program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $48,252 to $70,196 over five years — a 45% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admits 19% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 20,556 in Chapel Hill, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill →

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

Other Majors at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy Analysis at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Public Policy Analysis field.

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 $560,222 in decade earnings vs $639,072 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Public Policy Analysis program stand out?

Ranked #1 of 40 programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →