Does your ideal degree pay what you expect?

After graduation, public policy graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $132,817, while the bottom 20% make closer to $30,391. The median grad salary is $63,533.

Public Policy graduate salaries over time

The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in public policy is $43,291, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $77,518.

This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:

Wage ($USD)

Wage Range Median Wage

Years of work experience

Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in public policy is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career

Overview

Discover what you’ll learn—and what you can do after you graduate.

Read about Overview