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Best Schools for Public Administration

Public Administration graduates earn a median of $41,839 within two years of graduation, ranking #112 out of 292 tracked majors — 18% above the median across all fields. There are 50 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 2,337 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: National University graduates earn $74,576 while Indian River State College graduates earn $27,669 — a $46,907 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: Public Administration graduates see an average 1% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

50
Schools
$41,839
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#112
of 292 Majors
2,337
Graduates

Public vs Private: Public Administration

Public (40 schools)
$38,999
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (7 schools)
$58,163
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $19,164 more in early earnings on average for Public Administration graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Public Administration by State

California
8 schools
$49,346
Florida
6 schools
$38,767
Texas
4 schools
$43,083
Indiana
4 schools
$38,669
Ohio
3 schools
$36,344
New York
3 schools
$38,519
Michigan
3 schools
$33,038
Iowa
2 schools
$51,206

Top Public Administration Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
N

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$74,576
2yr Earnings
1yr: $61,249
Grads: 17
Acceptance: N/A
#2
C

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$69,338
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,784
Grads: 23
Acceptance: 73.6%
#3
W

West Texas A & M University

Canyon, TX · Public

$69,338
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 97.4%
#4
U

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, IA · Private

$61,516
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,774
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 93.4%
#5
C

Colorado State University Global

Denver, CO · Public

$61,020
2yr Earnings
1yr: $68,522
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 92.9%
#6
U

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA · Private

$60,094
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 48.5%
#7
B

Barry University

Miami, FL · Private

$58,673
2yr Earnings
1yr: $71,434
Grads: 55
Acceptance: 59.1%
#8
U

University of Phoenix-Arizona

Phoenix, AZ ·

$54,494
2yr Earnings
1yr: $52,336
Grads: 41
Acceptance: N/A
#9
W

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $55,712
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 86.7%
#10
G

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

$48,823
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,354
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 88.8%
#11
I

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public

$45,034
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,780
Grads: 428
Acceptance: 80.4%
#12
C

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$43,240
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,105
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 91.3%
#13
W

Walden University

Minneapolis, MN ·

$42,728
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#14
C

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,063
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 86.7%
#15
M

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH · Public

$41,992
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,039
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 82.1%
#16
S

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private

$41,937
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,017
Grads: 70
Acceptance: 41.7%
#17
U

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV · Public

$41,205
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,658
Grads: 77
Acceptance: 96.3%
#18
F

Florida International University

Miami, FL · Public

$41,193
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,177
Grads: 74
Acceptance: 58.8%
#19
S

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, PA · Public

$41,025
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 85.5%
#20
F

Flagler College

Saint Augustine, FL · Private

$41,007
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,353
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 78.1%
#21
U

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public

$40,896
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 94.4%
#22
U

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS · Public

$40,647
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.2%
#23
L

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Baton Rouge, LA · Public

$40,641
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 74.0%
#24
C

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

New York, NY · Public

$40,481
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,862
Grads: 84
Acceptance: 57.2%
#25
J

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public

$40,281
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,948
Grads: 52
Acceptance: 76.3%
#26
I

Indiana University-Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN · Public

$39,074
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,543
Grads: 114
Acceptance: 81.4%
#27
C

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$36,848
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 98.3%
#28
T

The University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio, TX · Public

$36,668
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,089
Grads: 50
Acceptance: 88.5%
#29
U

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public

$36,272
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,081
Grads: 59
Acceptance: 85.7%
#30
U

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR · Public

$36,221
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,784
Grads: 55
Acceptance: 85.1%
#31
U

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Green Bay, WI · Public

$36,058
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,021
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 87.8%
#32
P

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN · Public

$36,042
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,275
Grads: 46
Acceptance: 85.7%
#33
U

University of Hawaii-West Oahu

Kapolei, HI · Public

$35,995
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,241
Grads: 143
Acceptance: 95.6%
#34
O

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$35,914
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,336
Grads: 71
Acceptance: 50.8%
#35
F

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL · Public

$35,823
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,640
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 73.4%
#36
T

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

$35,772
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,883
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 65.5%
#37
A

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public

$35,600
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,723
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 50.5%
#38
E

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI · Public

$35,060
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 81.3%
#39
I

Indiana University-Kokomo

Kokomo, IN · Public

$34,526
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 84.7%
#40
K

Kean University

Union, NJ · Public

$34,381
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,940
Grads: 52
Acceptance: 76.9%
#41
C

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.2%
#42
S

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,977
Grads: 140
Acceptance: 34.4%
#43
U

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

La Crosse, WI · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,052
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 73.3%
#44
G

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public

$33,880
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,390
Grads: 104
Acceptance: 94.7%
#45
C

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

New York, NY · Public

$33,138
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,342
Grads: 66
Acceptance: 50.5%
#46
C

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public

$31,127
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 95.5%
#47
T

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$30,554
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,521
Grads: 49
Acceptance: 89.5%
#48
W

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public

$30,173
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,693
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 82.0%
#49
U

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL · Public

$28,236
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,731
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 39.5%
#50
I

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL ·

$27,669
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,666
Grads: 28
Acceptance: N/A

Majors with Similar Earnings

Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences $42,514 Business Administration, Management and Operations $42,228 Environmental Design $41,959 Marketing $41,921 Interior Architecture $41,778 Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services $40,464

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Public Administration?
National University ranks #1 for Public Administration with median graduate earnings of $74,576 within two years. There are 50 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Public Administration graduates earn?
Public Administration graduates earn an average of $41,839 within two years of graduation. This is 18% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $27,669 to $74,576 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Public Administration program?
The average acceptance rate across Public Administration programs is 77.6%. The most selective program is at San Diego State University with a 34.4% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Public Administration?
Private Public Administration programs average $58,163 in early earnings vs $38,999 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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