Public Policy Analysis bachelor's degree outcomes at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Federal field 4405

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are notably above the same-degree benchmark.

$53,046 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 12.4% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: $159,418 / year
10-year scenario: +177% · Strong payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+38%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$77,906 → $107,508

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

17Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

39Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

40Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

Not availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$28,690

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$15,750

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$126,767

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$167/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$28,690Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$88,140Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE8.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE95.4%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$77,906Year 1

$126,767Year 4

$107,508Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

1.6% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$10,564

Estimated loan payment$167

40borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$126,767 vs. $73,721

$53,046 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Social Science Research Assistants$61,210 median wageNY estimate · 3,040 jobs · 19-4061+5.0% projected U.S. growth · 4.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePolitical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$104,050 median wageNY estimate · 1,460 jobs · 25-1065+2.5% projected U.S. growth · 1.5k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreePolitical Scientists$142,080 median wageU.S. estimate · 130 jobs · 19-3094-2.0% projected U.S. growth · 0.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Master's degreeSocial Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$104,770 median wageNY estimate · 3,410 jobs · 19-3099-0.2% projected U.S. growth · 2.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeMedical and Health Services Managers$164,120 median wageNY estimate · 33,200 jobs · 11-9111+24.2% projected U.S. growth · 62.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeHealth Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$131,220 median wageNY estimate · 21,410 jobs · 25-1071+17.9% projected U.S. growth · 24.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeEducation Teachers, Postsecondary$82,020 median wageNY estimate · 5,430 jobs · 25-1081+2.5% projected U.S. growth · 5.3k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeLegislatorsNot available median wageU.S. estimate · Unreported jobs · 11-1031NO MATCHNot available median wageU.S. estimate · Unreported jobs · 99-9999

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