BUSINESS Specialization

Public Administration

Public Administration graduates earn $65,093 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.7%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Construction Managers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Public Administration

Public Administration is a specialized field of study. Graduates typically earn around $65,093 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 496 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 15,867 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$45,278
Median Earnings · 4yr
$65,093
Colleges Offering
496
Graduates / Year
15,867
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,832

How Much Do Public Administration Graduates Earn?

Public Administration graduates earn $65,093 four years out, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,237 and $86,663. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $45,278 climbs to $65,093 by year four.

$45,278
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$65,093
4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$64,953
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Public Administration graduates. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.


A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $65,093 and an estimated $79,328 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.3 years.

Based on outcomes from 188 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 15,867 students who complete Public Administration programs each year, the majority (76%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Master's 76%
Bachelor's 15%
Post-Bacc Cert. 6%

What Can You Do With a Public Administration Degree?

Public Administration connects to 7 occupations in the job market. Chief Executives leads at $213,990/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +4.3% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$213,990
$130K $356K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 22,200 openings/yr 204K employed nationally
Judgment and Decision Making Complex Problem Solving Critical Thinking Systems Evaluation Management of Personnel Resources
Day-to-day responsibilities

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

  • Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
  • Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
  • Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
↗ +8.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$114,990
$89K $152K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 46,800 openings/yr 380K employed nationally
Management of Personnel Resources Judgment and Decision Making Active Listening Coordination Complex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

  • Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
  • Develop or implement quality control programs.
  • Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
↗ +6.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$107,230
$82K $147K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 18,500 openings/yr 221K employed nationally
Active Listening Speaking Reading Comprehension Judgment and Decision Making Time Management
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.

  • Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
  • Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programs and activities.
  • Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
↗ +4.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$105,770
$72K $167K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 308,700 openings/yr 3.5M employed nationally
Speaking Active Listening Monitoring Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

  • Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
  • Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
↗ +3.4% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$89,320
$72K $110K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 3,400 openings/yr 44K employed nationally
Active Listening Judgment and Decision Making Speaking Systems Analysis Reading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities

Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

  • Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
  • Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
  • Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
↗ +6.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$80,390
$64K $103K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 18,600 openings/yr 209K employed nationally
Social Perceptiveness Service Orientation Active Listening Monitoring Coordination
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

  • Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
  • Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
  • Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
↗ +3.7% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$59,090
$46K $76K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 800 openings/yr 8K employed nationally
Active Listening Judgment and Decision Making Complex Problem Solving Critical Thinking Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.

  • Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
  • Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
  • Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.

Top Colleges for Public Administration

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Public Administration students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN · Public 630 78.2% $16,264 $63,742
2 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit 409 4% $21,590 $102,491
3 Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit 374 3.7% $19,066 $101,817
4 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY · Nonprofit 322 45.9% $38,793 $79,164
5 New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit 253 9.2% $37,050 $82,509
6 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit 248 99% $29,357 $44,813
7 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit 234 78.9% $22,472 $42,186
8 American University Washington, DC · Nonprofit 223 62% $41,943 $77,370
9 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit 221 9.8% $32,740 $92,498
10 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public 220 60.6% $17,339 $60,409
11 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public 212 39.2% $14,091 $78,466
12 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY · Public 212 47.5% $3,033 $75,971
13 California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA · Public 207 93.5% $7,021 $59,115
14 Florida International University Miami, FL · Public 199 54.7% $9,288 $60,249
15 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public 185 40.1% $10,411 $58,308
16 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY · Public 183 57.1% $3,203 $56,195
17 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit 168 5.4% $28,699 $111,371
18 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN · Public 157 76.4% $11,668 $55,198
19 Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public 150 57.4% $21,315 $72,097
20 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public 142 24.2% $11,297 $61,675

Ranked by Public Administration graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Public Administration Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Public Administration a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Above-average earnings Four-year median of $65,093 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $45,278 at graduation to $65,093 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +8.7% over the next decade, with Construction Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 419,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Public Administration Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Public Administration graduates earn?
Public Administration graduates earn a national median of $65,093 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,237 and $86,663. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Public Administration degree?
One year after graduation, Public Administration degree holders earn a median of $45,278. That climbs to $65,093 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Public Administration degree?
Public Administration degree holders pursue careers including Chief Executives, which pays a median of $213,990/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Public Administration program take?
While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Public Administration students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.
How many colleges offer Public Administration?
496 colleges and universities in the United States offer Public Administration programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Public Administration degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $65,093 and an average net price of roughly $19,832/yr, a Public Administration degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What skills do employers look for in Public Administration graduates?
Employers hiring Public Administration graduates consistently prioritize financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart.
Is graduate school worth it for Public Administration graduates?
An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths to management and strategy roles. ROI is strongest at selective programs with strong recruiting pipelines. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Public Administration graduates?
The job outlook for Public Administration graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +5.3% job growth over the next 10 years. Construction Managers is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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