Public Policy Analysis at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
Starting at $33,424 means UConn-Hartford's public policy graduates earn about $11,000 less than the national median for this degree—placing them in just the 10th percentile nationally. That's a significant gap, though context matters here: all UConn campuses report identical figures for this program, likely reflecting systemwide data rather than campus-specific outcomes. The only program in Connecticut that substantially outperforms this is Trinity College at nearly $57,000.
The silver lining is manageable debt. At just under $26,000, graduates face monthly payments around $290, which translates to roughly 10% of gross income—higher than ideal but not crushing. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.78 falls in a workable range, particularly for a field where career progression often depends on graduate education or moving into higher-paying government roles after initial entry-level positions. However, these early earnings lag behind what many policy-focused employers pay in metro areas outside Connecticut.
For families banking on public policy as a direct path to financial stability, this program requires realistic expectations. Your child would be starting well below what most policy graduates earn nationally, and the moderate debt load doesn't fully compensate for that earnings shortfall. If your student is passionate about policy work and plans to pursue graduate education anyway, the affordable in-state tuition at UConn makes this viable as an undergraduate foundation. But if they need strong immediate earnings after graduation, programs in fields like public health administration or business analytics typically offer better returns.
Where University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all public policy analysis bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus graduates earn $33k, placing them in the 10th percentile of all public policy analysis bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Connecticut
Public Policy Analysis bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Connecticut (7 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus | $33,424 | — | $25,964 | 0.78 |
| Trinity College | $56,902 | — | $23,161 | 0.41 |
| University of Connecticut | $33,424 | — | $25,964 | 0.78 |
| University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus | $33,424 | — | $25,964 | 0.78 |
| University of Connecticut-Avery Point | $33,424 | — | $25,964 | 0.78 |
| University of Connecticut-Stamford | $33,424 | — | $25,964 | 0.78 |
| National Median | $44,740 | — | $22,000 | 0.49 |
Other Public Policy Analysis Programs in Connecticut
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Connecticut schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity College Hartford | $67,420 | $56,902 | $23,161 |
| University of Connecticut Storrs | $20,366 | $33,424 | $25,964 |
| University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury | $17,462 | $33,424 | $25,964 |
| University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton | $17,462 | $33,424 | $25,964 |
| University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford | $17,472 | $33,424 | $25,964 |
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 University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus, approximately 46% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 32 graduates with reported earnings and 40 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.