Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
A debt load of around $18,000 for a bachelor's degree is genuinely manageable—well below both the national median of $22,000 for public policy programs and Massachusetts' typical $25,000. Since the earnings and debt figures here are drawn from national peer programs rather than Assumption's own outcomes, it's worth noting that Massachusetts public policy graduates actually earn less on average ($39,943) than the national median suggests. Even Brandeis, a significantly more selective institution, reports first-year earnings below $40,000 in this field.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 suggests graduates could realistically pay off loans within a few years, assuming the $44,740 estimate holds true. Public policy as a field often leads to government or nonprofit work, where salaries start modest but offer stability and loan forgiveness programs. The real question is whether your child plans to pursue graduate education—many policy careers effectively require it, which would mean additional debt and delayed earnings.
Given Assumption's 87% admission rate and relatively low Pell enrollment, this isn't positioning itself as a budget option despite the reasonable debt load. If your child is passionate about policy work and plans to stay regional, the financial picture looks workable. Just recognize you're operating on educated guesses about outcomes, and the Massachusetts market for this field appears softer than national figures suggest.
Where Assumption University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public policy analysis bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Public Policy Analysis bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (8 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Assumption UniversityWorcester | $49,414 | $44,740* | — | $18,375* | — |
 Brandeis UniversityWaltham | $64,946 | $39,943* | $60,055 | $25,000* | 0.63 |
| National Median | — | $44,740* | — | $22,000* | 0.49 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with public policy analysis graduates
Political Scientists
Medical and Health Services Managers
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Legislators
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
Social Science Research Assistants
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Assumption University, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 40 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.