Best Public Administration Schools in California

California has 12 colleges offering Public Administration programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 417 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $49,918 on average within two years — 17% above the national average of $42,555, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

Schools in CA

$49,918

CA Avg. Earnings

$42,555

National Avg.

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Public Administration in California

Public Schools (7)

$38,151

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (3)

$68,003

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $29,852 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Public Administration Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,244

Graduates: 53

Acceptance: 93.2%

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$69,338

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $51,784

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 73.6%

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$74,576

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,249

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: N/A

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,063

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 86.7%

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,833

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: N/A

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$43,240

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,105

Graduates: 61

Acceptance: 91.3%

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA · Private

$60,094

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 48.5%

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,977

Graduates: 140

Acceptance: 34.4%

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,518

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 93.7%

#11

University of Phoenix-California

Ontario, CA ·

$54,494

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $52,336

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: N/A

#12

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 88.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Public Administration in California?

California State University-Northridge ranks #1 for Public Administration in California with median graduate earnings of N/A within two years of graduation. There are 12 schools offering Public Administration programs in the state.

How much do Public Administration graduates earn in California?

Public Administration graduates in California earn an average of $49,918 within two years of graduation. This is 17% above the national average of $42,555 for this major.

What is the hardest Public Administration school to get into in California?

San Diego State University is the most selective Public Administration program in California with an acceptance rate of 34.4%. The average acceptance rate across Public Administration programs in the state is 78.7%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Public Administration in California?

In California, private Public Administration programs produce average earnings of $68,003 vs $38,151 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 7 public and 3 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

All colleges in California →

Public Administration in Other States

Florida Texas New York Indiana Arizona Michigan Ohio Wisconsin Nevada Virginia Iowa View All →

Get Public Administration Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.