Public Policy Analysis at Empire State University

Empire State's public policy program graduates earn $52,614 in their first year—notably above the national median but falling short of what New York's policy job market typically delivers. Among the 13 New York schools offering this degree, this program lands at the 40th percentile, meaning most in-state alternatives produce stronger earnings outcomes. The gap is meaningful: the typical New York program sees graduates earning $56,158, about $3,500 more annually. That difference compounds over time.

The debt burden of $25,239 creates a manageable 0.48 ratio to first-year earnings, which is reasonable for a social sciences degree. However, it's worth noting this is higher than both the state median ($21,120) and national median ($22,000) for this field. Combined with the below-average state earnings performance, students are paying slightly more to earn slightly less than they would at many peer programs.

The major caveat here: fewer than 30 graduates were tracked, making these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs. That said, if your child is committed to policy work in New York, they should seriously compare this to SUNY options or other state programs where the earning patterns appear stronger. The national ranking looks good, but in New York's competitive policy landscape, this program doesn't stand out.