Public Policy Analysis at University of Scranton

Pennsylvania's public policy programs vary widely in outcomes, with the state median sitting at $61,592—nearly $17,000 above what similar programs nationally suggest for University of Scranton graduates. That gap matters when you're looking at a degree that typically leads to government or nonprofit work, where salary progression can be slow and predictable. While an estimated debt load of $18,375 is moderate—well below the national benchmark of $22,000 for this field—the lower projected earnings mean the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 isn't quite the advantage it first appears.

The challenge here is that public policy careers often require graduate credentials to advance beyond entry-level positions, so you're potentially looking at additional education costs down the road. The estimated first-year earnings of $44,740 align with national norms but fall short of what Pennsylvania employers typically pay policy graduates. Whether that reflects regional job market access, alumni networks, or program structure isn't clear from the estimates.

For families weighing this investment, the relatively manageable debt is encouraging, but the earnings projection warrants serious consideration—especially if your student plans to stay in Pennsylvania, where peer programs appear to command higher starting salaries. Request concrete placement data from the university: where do graduates actually work, and what do they earn in their first roles?