Public Policy Major Guide: Overview and RoEDU™ Opportunities 2025

The Public Policy major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.

Within Government, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.

Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.

As part of Government, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.

Salary Outlook

Entry-level salary
$94,751

Typical starting pay soon after graduation.

Mid-career salary (10y)
$148,794

Estimated after a decade of experience.

Experienced salary (20y)
$198,612

Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.

Weighted median over last 5 years
CAGR 2.9%

CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.

Estimated lifetime earnings

40 years, present value
$3,740,242

Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections

OccupationMedian WageTotal JobsGrowth RateEducation
Legislators
SOC: 11-1031
Occupation: Legislators
$44,810
26,510
N/A
N/A
Medical and Health Services Managers
SOC: 11-9111
Occupation: Medical and Health Services Managers
$117,960
565,840
N/A
N/A
Political Scientists
SOC: 19-3094
Occupation: Political Scientists
$139,380
5,950
N/A
N/A
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
SOC: 19-3099
Occupation: Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
$100,340
36,970
N/A
N/A
Social Science Research Assistants
SOC: 19-4061
Occupation: Social Science Research Assistants
$58,040
32,940
N/A
N/A
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1065
Occupation: Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$94,680
17,170
N/A
N/A

Historical Career Trends (2020-2024)

Historical data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2024) • Salary trends and employment growth over 5 years

Medical and Health Services Managers

13.1%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$117,960565,840
2023$110,680515,100
2022$104,830476,750
2021$101,340436,770
2020$104,280402,540

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

6.6%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$105,620229,720
2023$105,650225,360
2022$100,300207,700
2021$102,720191,830
2020$99,090200,040

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

10.2%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$72,09059,090
2023$73,24060,860
2022$66,93058,280
2021$63,91058,780
2020$65,44057,560

Colleges offering Public Policy

Northeastern University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$35k

Earnings

$82k

Bentley University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$44k

Earnings

$89k

University of Delaware

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$18k

Earnings

$66k

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$23k

Earnings

$65k

Johns Hopkins University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$23k

Earnings

$96k

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