Public Policy Analysis at University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,536/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (107,800 openings/yr)
ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #31 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 $575K $568K $518K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.8x 8.7x 7.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,632
Out-of-state: $143,216 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,596
-21% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,880
72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,536 place University of Rhode Island below the $46,424 national median for Public Policy Analysis — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.7x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $32,536 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #31 of 40 Public Policy Analysis programs, University of Rhode Island falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $55,880 show a 72% jump from the $32,536 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 13,822 in Kingston, RI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Rhode Island →

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 Rhode Island

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy Analysis at University of Rhode Island?
A score of 37/100 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 $517,857 in decade earnings vs $574,766 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Public Policy Analysis from University of Rhode Island?
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 →