Career Outcomes

2019 Graduates

What Can You Do With a Degree from the Humphrey School?

Our graduates work in leadership positions at local, national, and global levels. They plan cities, hold public office, run nonprofits, manage government relations for Fortune 500 companies, lead sustainability efforts, and fight for equal rights.

With a degree from the Humphrey School, you can change the world.

Alumni Snapshot

Employment by region

Map of the world showing where Humphrey Alumni live and work
5,140
Total alumni

Employment by sector

31%
Nonprofit
32%
Government
32%
Private sector
5%
Academic

Will I Get a Job After Graduation?

Every year we survey recent graduates. For the class of 2022:

142 graduates, 119 reported (83%)

  • Known employed or continuing for further degree: 113 (95%)
  • Actively job seeking: 6 (5%)
  • Government employment (all levels): 36 (30%)
  • Nonprofit sector employment: 35 (29%)
  • Private sector employment: 36 (30%)
  • Academic staff in colleges and universities: 6 (5%)

Note: This data reflects graduates of the Master of Public Policy, Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Master of Development Practice, and Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy programs. These numbers reflect the most recent data available; due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100%.

What Career Can I Pursue with a Degree from the Humphrey School?

Jobs held by degree program and career statistics:

Expand all

Master of Development Practice

Career options for graduates of the Master of Development Practice program span all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. 

  • SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE MINISTER OF GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT, Republic of Liberia 
  • PROGRAM MANAGER, One Acre Fund, stationed in Kakamega, Kenya 
  • ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, Counterpart International, El Salvador 
  • DIRECTOR OF POLICY OUTREACH, Center for Global Development, Washington, DC 
  • PROJECT MANAGER, American Refugee Committee, Minneapolis 
  • DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR, Innovations for Poverty Action, Accra, Ghana 
  • PROGRAM MANAGER, International Development, HealthPartners, Minneapolis 
  • PROJECT ASSOCIATE, Chemonics Consulting, Washington, DC 

The Twin Cities offer a wealth of opportunities to engage with the international community. Many local organizations work on development, trade, human rights, or other international issues, including the American Refugee Committee, Center for Victims of Torture, Global Volunteers, Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, International Institute of Minnesota, and the Advocates for Human Rights. 

MDP Career Statistics: Class of 2022

8 graduated, 8 known reported (100%)

  • Known employed or continuing to further degree: 88%
  • Actively job seeking: 13% 
  • Government employment:12%
  • Nonprofit employment: 25%
  • Private sector employment: 38% 
  • Academic staff: 12%

Note: These numbers reflect the most recent data available. Due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100 percent. 

Learn more about the Master of Development Practice program

Master of Human Rights

Career options span all levels of government, NGOs, and the private sector. Students who have completed the graduate minor in human rights have gained employment at:

  • DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, The Advocates for Human Rights, Minneapolis
  • DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES, Domestic Abuse Project, Minneapolis
  • PROGRAM OFFICER, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Myanmar
  • FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, U.S. Department of State, Beijing, China
  • ADVISOR TO THE SHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, USAID, Washington, DC
  • M&E PROJECT OFFICER, Perkins International, School for the Blind, Amherst, MA
  • GOVERNMENT SPECIALIST, World Bank, Kampala, Uganda
  • INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL, Health Partners, Minneapolis, MN
     

MHR Career Statistics: Class of 2022

21 graduated, 16 known reported (76%)

  • Known employed or continuing to further degree: 94%
  • Actively job seeking: 6% 
  • Government employment: 12%
  • Nonprofit employment: 64%
  • Private sector employment: 12% 
  • Academic staff: 6%

Note: These numbers reflect the most recent data available. Due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100 percent. 

Learn more about the Master of Human Rights program

Master of Public Affairs (Mid-Career)

Career options span all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the corporate and nonprofit sectors. 

SENATOR 

State of Minnesota 

  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , Merrick Community Services, St. Paul 
  • PRESIDENT AND CEO, Achieve Minneapolis 
  • SENIOR RESEARCHER/ PROJECT MANAGER, Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, Mogadishu, Somalia 
  • COUNSELOR, General Delegation of Quebec in Mexico, Guadalajara, Mexico 
  • DIVERSITY & INCLUSION TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul 
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Minnesota State Council on Disability, St. Paul 
  • DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY AND ENGAGEMENT, Blandin Foundation, Grand Rapids, Minnesota 
  • REGIONAL LABOR ADVISOR, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Denver, Colorado 
     

MPA Career Statistics: Class of 2022

27 graduated, 25 known reported (93%)

  • Known employed or continuing to further degree: 100%
  • Government employment: 36%
  • Nonprofit employment: 40%
  • Private sector employment: 24%
  • Academic staff: 0%

Note: These numbers reflect the most recent data available; due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100 percent.

Learn more about the Master of Public Policy (Mid-Career) program

Master of Public Policy

Career options span a variety of public service fields, all levels of government, nonprofit organizations and NGOs, and the private sector.

  • DEPUTY MISSION DIRECTOR, USAID/West Africa, Ghana
  • NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, New Tactics in Human Rights, Center for Victims of Torture, Minneapolis
  • PROGRAM OFFICER, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC
  • CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC
  • STATE REPRESENTATIVE, Minnesota House of Representatives
  • PRESIDENT, Minnesota Council on Foundations
  • DIRECTOR, State Relations and Policy Analysis, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC
  • VICE PRESIDENT, Planning and Strategy, St. John’s University, Minnesota
  • SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, Public Affairs and Business Development, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, St. Paul
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota
  • LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, State of Minnesota
  • STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR, State of Minnesota
  • MAYOR, City of Saint Paul, Minnesota 
     

MPP Career Statistics: Class of 2022

35 graduated, 30 known reported (86%)

  • Known employed or continuing to further degree: 100%
  • Government employment: 43%
  • Nonprofit employment: 30%
  • Private sector employment: 24%
  • Continuing education: 3%

Note: These numbers reflect the most recent data available; due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100 percent.

Learn more about the Master of Public Policy program

Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy

A science or engineering background coupled with a policy-focused graduate degree affords many career opportunities. Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy graduates are employed in positions like:

  • ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ANALYST, National Renewable Energy Lab, U.S. Department of Energy, Golden, Colorado
  • INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS LIAISON, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Interior, Bloomington, Minnesota
  • POLLUTION PREVENTION COORDINATOR, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, San Francisco
  • WATER POLICY PLANNER, Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, St. Paul
  • SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM COORDINATOR, City of Minneapolis
  • PROGRAM AND POLICY MANAGER, Center for Energy and the Environment, Minneapolis
  • RESEARCH CONSULTANT, International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka
  • MANAGING DIRECTOR, Eco Lanka Consultants, Sri Lanka
  • MANAGER, CONSERVATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY, CenterPoint Energy, Minneapolis
  • REGULATORY AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE, 3M, Maplewood, Minnesota
  • ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST, Barr Engineering, Minneapolis
     

MS–STEP Career Statistics: Class of 2022

20 graduated, 16 known reported (80%)

  • Known employed or continuing to further degree: 100%
  • Government employment: 14%
  • Nonprofit employment: 30%
  • Private sector employment:  50%
  • Continuing education: 6%

Note: These numbers reflect the most recent data available; due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100 percent.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy program

Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Career options span a variety of public service fields, all levels of government, nonprofit organizations and NGOs, and the private sector. 

  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, U.S. Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC 
  • DIRECTOR, Aviation Services, ICF International, China 
  • PRESIDENT AND CEO, The Improve Group, Mendota Heights 
  • VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, JPB Foundation, New York 
  • PLANNER, Boston Planning and Development Agency, Boston 
  • CITY PLANNER, City of St. Paul 
  • CITY PLANNER, City of Minneapolis
  • VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT, Westwood Renewables, Minneapolis 
  • ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Trust for Public Land, Washington, DC 
  • MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNER, NCDOT Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina 
  • ASSOCIATE PLANNER, City of Anchorage, Alaska 
  • PRESIDENT AND CEO, Project for Pride in Living, Minneapolis 
  • SUPERVISOR OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, Metro Transit, Minneapolis 
  • DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, City of St. Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development, St. Paul 
     

MURP Career Statistics: Class of 2022

31 graduated, 24 known reported (77%)

  • Known employed or continuing to further degree: 100%
  • Government employment: 58%
  • Nonprofit employment: 4%
  • Private sector employment:  33%
  • Academic: 4%

Note: These numbers reflect the most recent data available; due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100 percent.

Learn more about the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program

What Type of Salary Will I Earn?

Humphrey School alumni salaries by sector*:

Government / Public AgencyNonprofitPrivate
$44,000-$122,000
(Mid: $67,000)
$37,000-$110,000
(Mid: $50,000)
$51,000-$173,000
(Mid: $92,000)


*Salary data is from ZipRecruiter for public policy careers in Minnesota. Higher and lower salaries are reported in the data set. Numbers represented are averages.