Public Administration

About Public Administration

Wondering whether Public Administration is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what Chief Executives earn and how the role is projected to grow.

Government administration, urban planning, nonprofit management, and public policy. Careers built around serving communities rather than maximizing shareholder returns. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $51,790, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 1,459 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 96,694 students complete a degree in this area every year.

Median Earnings · 1yr

$37,944

Median Earnings · 4yr

$51,790

Colleges Offering

1,459

Graduates / Year

96,694

Specializations

6

Avg Net Price / yr

$23,131

Is a Public Administration Degree Right for You?

Is the Investment Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $51,790 and an estimated $92,524 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.2 years. Compare your specific program carefully.

How Much Do Public Administration Majors Earn?

Pay for Public Administration graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $37,944 one year after graduation, rising to $51,790 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 1,459 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With a Public Administration Degree?

Career Paths for Public Administration Graduates

Studying Public Administration does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Chief Executives pays the most among them at a median $213,990 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what a Political Scientist typically earns and how the field is trending.

Public Administration Specializations

Public Administration spans 6 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $48,597 to $73,721 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Public Policy program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for Public Administration

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Public Administration, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for Grand Canyon University.

Ranked by number of Public Administration graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How Public Administration Compares to Similar Majors

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Public Administration degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

Public Administration Degree: Pros & Cons

Weigh the financial trade-offs in Public Administration carefully before committing to it. The 2 strengths and 3 concerns below come from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts, so you can see exactly what is driving the caution.

Public Administration Degree: Frequently Asked Questions