Harris students are passionate, driven, and committed to positive change.

Rigorous coursework in microeconomics, statistics, and analytical politics equips students with the quantitative and analytical skills to evaluate and recommend sound policies in a variety of contexts.

 
550
graduates
 
40
countries represented
0
had job offers*
0
secured employment*
0
secured employment within three months of graduation

Employed by 400+ organizations worldwide:

Recidiviz McKinsey & Company University of Chicago GAO Aecom Heartland Alliance
“As a consultant, I feel I can have the most meaningful influence on policy by helping governments allocate funds in ways that will provide citizens with greater welfare.”
Natasia Engeline, MPP’22
Economist
AECOM

Sector Breakdown**

24%
36%
40%
Public/Government Agency
Non-Profit/NGO/IGO
Private

Salaries By Sector

Salary Range
Public/Government Agency
Nonprofit/NGO/IGO
Private
Median
$73K
$67K
$85K
Maximum
$172K
$147K
$200K

Top Specified Policy Areas

Alumni working in policy-related careers most commonly reported working in the following policy areas:

 

Data Science

 

Social/Inequality

 

Health

 

Economic/Fiscal

Top Three Primary Responsibilities

 

Data Analytics

 

Project Management

 

Research

Average Years of Work Experience

Including internships prior to attending Harris

30%
23%
19%
28%
0-1 Years
1-3 Years
3-5 Years
5+ Years
0
domestic underrepresented minority students
0
hold advanced degrees
0
pursued a PhD after graduation
I use the data analysis skills I gained at Harris to provide different countries with snapshots of where their education systems are to leverage progress and better identify learning and resource gaps.
Arthur Cheib, MPP'23
DATA AND EDUCATION CONSULTANT
THE WORLD BANK

Advance Your Career

Harris Public Policy graduates launch careers across sectors and around the world.

Contact the Career Development Office

We know the search for talent can be tough. The Harris Career Development Office will take the time to understand your plans and needs, so you can recruit diverse, global-minded professionals with skills specific to your values. Let us be your pro bono recruiter.

2023 Career Outcomes Report

The Harris Career Development Office surveyed students in the Class of 2023 in an exit survey at the time of graduation, with a follow-up survey six months after graduation. Of the 550 students who graduated between July 2022 and June 2023, 471 (86 percent) reported employment information. Data in this report is based on survey results from responding graduates, as well as other sources. Out of the 471 graduates, 442 (94 percent) sought employment and 29 did not seek employment for reasons such as continuing education or starting a company. Out of 442 students seeking employment, 427 (97 percent) accepted employment.

The following Harris programs are reflected in overall outcome data:

  • Master of Public Policy (MPP) | A two-year program that combines coursework with applied experience to equip graduates with the skills to make data-driven decisions in a variety of contexts.
     
  • Master of Arts in Public Policy (MA) | A one-year program that complements additional graduate studies or significant work experience.
     
  • Master of Arts in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods (MACRM) | A 15-month degree that offers foundational training in public policy alongside intensive research methods training.
     
  • Master of Science in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP) | A two-year degree offered jointly with the University of Chicago Department of Computer Science that prepares graduates for a career at the intersection of public policy and data science.

Class of 2023 Profile

*Represents percent of students who were seeking employment.


Sector Breakdown

**Class of 2023 Harris graduate began careers with top employers in diverse fields across sectors: private; public and government agencies; and nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs).

The charts below indicate the employment sectors where reporting graduates found careers.


Salaries by Sector

Of the graduates who accepted employment offers, 260 graduates (61%) reported salary information. Three of these 260 graduates were omitted from the chart above because the graduates salary reflected part time employment.

The calculation of maximum salary is among MPP students and excludes dual and joint degree graduates.