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First, some facts. Of the Public Policy Analysis graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 68 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Public Policy Analysis graduates have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 51% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Public Policy Analysis graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Public Policy Analysis. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONLegal Administrative Specialist Veterans Administation May 2016 - Apr 2017 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the job landscape for people who graduated with a degree in Public Policy Analysis, we can see some common trends and patterns in their career paths. Many graduates found roles in various sectors, including government, legal, and non-profit organizations, which often align well with their educational background. A significant number of them ended up in roles such as legislative assistants, research analysts, policy consultants, and positions within non-profit or advocacy organizations. These roles typically involve tasks that require a strong understanding of policy issues, advocacy strategies, and community engagement, which are all integral components of the public policy analysis curriculum.
However, not every job listed under these graduates is a perfect match with their degree. Some ended up in roles that only tangentially relate to public policy or even diverge entirely from it. For example, positions like marketing managers, administrative assistants, or roles that focus primarily on financial analysis don't really apply public policy skills directly. These types of jobs are more operational or administrative in nature and may involve minimal policy analysis or a general understanding of public policies. Fortunately, many graduates did manage to find paths that were more relevant, particularly those that involved research, advocacy, and legislative support. It's clear that while a degree in Public Policy Analysis does open doors to various fields, the level of relevance in their job functions can vary widely based on the specific role and organization.
Overall, it seems that graduates of Public Policy Analysis find themselves in a mixed job environment. Many of their positions tap into the skills and knowledge they gained during their studies, but not all do. The common thread is that those who focus on advocacy, research, and legislative roles tend to have their education aligned closely with their job functions, while others who venture into different sectors might not. This suggests that while the degree provides a solid foundation for specific public policy-related careers, there are also numerous opportunities where the relevance of the degree may not shine through as clearly. It's a reminder that graduates should consider how each potential job aligns with their interests and skills, even if it diverges from their educational background.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Policy Analysis graduates:
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Public Policy Analysis, it seems like those individuals have generally been able to find relevant roles in the field after graduation. For many of them, their first jobs appear to be entry-level positions that allow them to dip their toes into policy work, advocacy, or legal support. For example, graduates from Duke University have started as organizing fellows, policy associates, and research assistants—roles that are aligned with their educational background and offer valuable experience in public policy.
Fast forward five to ten years after graduation, and we see a mixed bag of career paths. While some individuals have successfully progressed to higher-level roles such as policy analysts, attorneys, and program managers, others have veered into unrelated sectors or less impactful roles, such as teachers, sales associates, and administrative positions. This trend suggests that while a degree in Public Policy Analysis can lead to meaningful jobs, graduates can also find themselves in positions that don’t fully utilize their skills and knowledge in public policy.
Overall, many graduates are on a positive trajectory toward fulfilling careers in public policy or related fields. Yet, there are others who have diverged from the intended career path, and these detours might indicate that public policy graduates face some challenges in securing jobs that are both relevant and aligned with their degree. So, while many are thriving in meaningful careers, there’s a notable percentage that either struggles to find their niche or ends up in roles that don’t directly connect back to their education. This suggests that while a Public Policy Analysis degree offers a solid foundation, the journey afterward can take unexpected turns.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. It’s not as hard as some STEM degrees, but it definitely has its challenging moments, especially if you're tackling research methods or complex policy issues. You’ll end up writing a lot of papers and diving into data, so if you enjoy that, it might not feel too tough. But if numbers and detailed analysis aren’t your thing, you might find it a bit overwhelming at times. In general, I’d say it’s around average in terms of toughness—just be ready to engage with a lot of reading and some critical thinking!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Policy Analysis.
Looking through these LinkedIn profiles, it seems like the graduates from Duke University and Vanderbilt University tend to have had pretty steady career paths with positions that likely pay well, especially considering the jobs they landed after their education. For instance, Duke graduates secured roles at prominent institutions and in respected fields, which usually come with decent salaries. The same goes for the Vanderbilt graduates, who seem to be moving up in the education sector. However, some in the public sector or non-profit might earn a little less, like those in research roles or teaching positions, but those fields can also provide good long-term stability and benefits.
On the other hand, graduates from places like Georgia State University and University of North Carolina are mixed in terms of their earnings. While some have landed promising positions, many seem to be in jobs that are less about high pay and more about experience and growth. Roles like field organizers and assistants, while crucial and valuable, typically don’t boast the highest salaries. Overall, while some individuals are likely making good money, others might still be climbing the ladder or are in fields that prioritize service over high income.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Public Policy Analysis. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Public Policy Analysis (ordered by the average relevance score of their Public Policy Analysis graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Duke University
|
67 | 10 |