Public Administration programs

CIP 4404 · Public Administration & Social Service · ranked by median earnings four years after completion

259 institutions report graduate earnings for Public Administration programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $74,870 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47× and 92% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 43 of the 299 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.

National ranking

#	Institution	Earn 4yr	% > threshold	Median debt	Debt/earn	Earnings premium	2 of 3 yrs
1	Harvard UniversityMA · Master's	$177,149 n=153	91% 5yr	$70,763	0.40×	Above +134%	Clears 2/2
2	Anna Maria CollegeMA · Master's	$123,207 n=71	95% 5yr	$20,759	0.17×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
3	Golden Gate UniversityCA · Master's	$122,598 n=25	88% 1yr	$41,000	0.33×	Above +63%	—
4	Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Master's	$122,517 n=41	94% 1yr	$39,301	0.32×	Above +61%	—
5	Calumet College of Saint JosephIN · Master's	$121,754 n=20	96% 5yr	—	—	Above +109%	Clears 2/2
6	Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Master's	$115,874 n=233	95% 5yr	$71,000	0.61×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
7	George Washington UniversityDC · Master's	$113,891 n=76	96% 5yr	$46,979	0.41×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
8	New York UniversityNY · Master's	$109,946 n=250	92%	$75,234	0.68×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
9	San Francisco State UniversityCA · Master's	$108,093 n=35	98% 5yr	$25,864	0.24×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
10	Syracuse UniversityNY · Master's	$107,868 n=100	100% 5yr	$51,317	0.48×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
11	American UniversityDC · Master's	$107,866 n=249	97% 5yr	$55,000	0.51×	Above +25%	Clears 2/2
12	Boston UniversityMA · Master's	$106,292 n=34	100% 1yr	$51,000	0.48×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
13	University of PennsylvaniaPA · Master's	$104,073 n=65	98% 5yr	$41,000	0.39×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
14	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's	$103,721 n=168	94% 5yr	$75,887	0.73×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
15	Walden UniversityMN · Doctoral	$100,861 n=115	91% 5yr	$138,500	1.37×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
16	George Mason UniversityVA · Master's	$100,692 n=105	95% 5yr	$41,000	0.41×	Above +42%	Clears 2/2
17	Cornell UniversityNY · Master's	$100,325 n=34	100% 5yr	$51,608	0.51×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
18	California State University-East BayCA · Master's	$99,879 n=108	91% 5yr	$35,500	0.35×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
19	Marist UniversityNY · Master's	$99,846 n=110	94% 5yr	$30,625	0.31×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
20	Portland State UniversityOR · Master's	$99,801 n=59	95% 5yr	$41,000	0.41×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
21	University of San FranciscoCA · Master's	$99,141 n=118	96% 5yr	$48,010	0.48×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
22	Bowie State UniversityMD · Master's	$98,800 n=37	94% 5yr	$39,924	0.40×	Above +30%	Below 1/2
23	Northwestern UniversityIL · Master's	$98,798 n=80	93% 5yr	$44,568	0.45×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
24	California Baptist UniversityCA · Master's	$98,056 n=56	94% 5yr	$27,334	0.28×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
25	Barry UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$97,702 n=70	86% 5yr	$33,381	0.34×	Above +189%	Clears 2/2
26	Post UniversityCT · Master's	$97,596 n=17	100% 1yr	$54,508	0.56×	Above +30%	—
27	University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Master's	$97,311 n=41	100% 1yr	$41,754	0.43×	Above +42%	—
28	Indiana University-IndianapolisIN · Grad cert	$97,043 n=25	100% 5yr	—	—	Above +67%	—
29	Villanova UniversityPA · Master's	$96,385 n=109	96% 5yr	$38,458	0.40×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
30	Alfred UniversityNY · Master's	$94,571 n=29	100% 5yr	$19,140	0.20×	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
31	University of BaltimoreMD · Master's	$94,518 n=75	92% 1yr	$61,500	0.65×	Above +24%	Below 1/2
32	Seattle UniversityWA · Master's	$94,446 n=47	92% 5yr	$50,683	0.54×	Above +26%	Below 1/2
33	CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNY · Master's	$93,751 n=274	79%	$27,150	0.29×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
34	Notre Dame de Namur UniversityCA · Master's	$93,465 n=17	96% 5yr	$61,500	0.66×	Above +24%	Clears 2/2
35	Hamline UniversityMN · Master's	$93,090 n=40	98% 5yr	$33,398	0.36×	Above +36%	Clears 2/2
36	California State University-NorthridgeCA · Master's	$92,353 n=313	100%	$37,074	0.40×	Above +23%	Clears 2/2
37	Clemson UniversitySC · Master's	$92,184 n=36	94% 1yr	$46,000	0.50×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
38	Suffolk UniversityMA · Master's	$92,015 n=62	91% 5yr	$41,000	0.45×	Above +22%	Below 1/2
39	University of Colorado Colorado SpringsCO · Master's	$91,668 n=39	79% 5yr	$47,944	0.52×	Above +36%	Below 1/2
40	University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Master's	$91,499 n=257	95%	$46,652	0.51×	Above +22%	Clears 2/2
41	San Diego State UniversityCA · Master's	$91,303 n=34	100% 1yr	$28,278	0.31×	Above +21%	—
42	Middlebury CollegeVT · Master's	$89,916 n=51	92% 5yr	$80,881	0.90×	Above +67%	Clears 2/2
43	Middlebury Institute of International Studies at MontereyCA · Master's	$89,916 n=51	92% 5yr	$80,881	0.90×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
44	California State University-Dominguez HillsCA · Master's	$89,849 n=117	97% 5yr	$40,750	0.45×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
45	Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$89,732 n=72	100% 5yr	$26,000	0.29×	Above +136%	Clears 2/2
46	National UniversityCA · Master's	$88,988 n=135	90% 5yr	$33,712	0.38×	Above +18%	Clears 2/2
47	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Master's	$88,961 n=40	100% 5yr	$41,000	0.46×	Above +25%	Clears 2/2
48	Northeastern UniversityMA · Master's	$87,852 n=32	91% 5yr	$41,000	0.47×	Above +16%	Below 1/2
49	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Master's	$87,852 n=32	91% 5yr	$41,000	0.47×	Above +16%	Below 1/2
50	Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Master's	$87,710 n=125	95% 5yr	$41,000	0.47×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
51	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgPA · Master's	$87,710 n=125	95% 5yr	$41,000	0.47×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
52	Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Master's	$87,710 n=125	95% 5yr	$41,000	0.47×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
53	Kent State University at KentOH · Master's	$87,606 n=34	95% 5yr	$35,655	0.41×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
54	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusNJ · Master's	$87,309 n=89	91% 5yr	$41,000	0.47×	Above +13%	Below 1/2
55	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusNJ · Master's	$87,309 n=89	91% 5yr	$41,000	0.47×	Above +13%	Below 1/2
56	University of South DakotaSD · Master's	$87,275 n=21	100% 5yr	—	—	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
57	University of DaytonOH · Master's	$87,234 n=16	—	—	—	Above +39%	—
58	Brigham Young UniversityUT · Master's	$87,075 n=70	88% 5yr	$26,500	0.30×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
59	University of ConnecticutCT · Master's	$86,879 n=36	95% 5yr	$28,500	0.33×	Above +16%	Clears 2/2
60	University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Master's	$86,879 n=36	95% 5yr	$28,500	0.33×	Above +16%	Clears 2/2
61	University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Master's	$86,879 n=36	95% 5yr	$28,500	0.33×	Above +16%	Clears 2/2
62	University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Master's	$86,879 n=36	95% 5yr	$28,500	0.33×	Above +16%	Clears 2/2
63	University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Master's	$86,879 n=36	95% 5yr	$28,500	0.33×	Above +16%	Clears 2/2
64	University of Rhode IslandRI · Master's	$86,349 n=28	96% 5yr	$33,284	0.39×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
65	California State University-Long BeachCA · Master's	$86,271 n=137	95% 5yr	$23,136	0.27×	Above +15%	Clears 2/2
66	DePaul UniversityIL · Master's	$86,093 n=91	94% 5yr	$46,243	0.54×	Above +26%	Clears 2/2
67	University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Bachelor's	$85,909 n=43	96% 1yr	$21,169	0.25×	Above +104%	—
68	California State University-NorthridgeCA · Bachelor's	$85,789 n=18	100% 1yr	$36,442	0.42×	Above +123%	—
69	University of Wisconsin-OshkoshWI · Master's	$85,641 n=17	90% 1yr	—	—	Above +39%	—
70	California State University-FresnoCA · Master's	$85,549 n=18	89% 5yr	$30,214	0.35×	Above +14%	Below 1/2
71	Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Master's	$85,494 n=213	96% 5yr	$41,000	0.48×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
72	California State University-San BernardinoCA · Master's	$85,338 n=62	90% 5yr	$37,000	0.43×	Above +13%	Below 1/2
73	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusCO · Master's	$85,272 n=136	93% 5yr	$32,448	0.38×	Above +26%	Clears 2/2
74	Norwich UniversityVT · Master's	$85,253 n=37	94% 5yr	$39,094	0.46×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
75	American Public University SystemWV · Master's	$85,238 n=83	90% 5yr	$43,726	0.51×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
76	California State University-BakersfieldCA · Master's	$85,123 n=18	100% 5yr	$17,826	0.21×	Above +13%	—
77	Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFL · Master's	$85,052 n=20	96% 5yr	—	—	Above +53%	Clears 2/2
78	Wayland Baptist UniversityTX · Master's	$85,003 n=26	91% 1yr	$38,823	0.46×	Above +30%	—
79	California State University-SacramentoCA · Master's	$84,962 n=17	100% 1yr	—	—	Above +13%	—
80	University at AlbanyNY · Master's	$84,950 n=74	97% 5yr	$28,125	0.33×	Above +20%	Clears 2/2
81	Texas Tech UniversityTX · Master's	$84,635 n=17	—	—	—	Above +29%	Below 1/2
82	Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA · Master's	$84,419 n=31	85% 5yr	$40,772	0.48×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
83	University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO · Master's	$84,412 n=95	90% 5yr	$21,455	0.25×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
84	University of the PacificCA · Master's	$84,392 n=29	89% 1yr	$45,850	0.54×	Above +12%	—
85	Old Dominion UniversityVA · Master's	$84,367 n=53	100% 5yr	$39,794	0.47×	Above +19%	Clears 2/2
86	Indiana University-IndianapolisIN · Master's	$84,078 n=60	91% 5yr	$28,078	0.33×	Above +45%	Clears 2/2
87	University of New HavenCT · Master's	$84,061 n=21	94% 1yr	$41,000	0.49×	Above +12%	—
88	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNY · Master's	$83,931 n=248	77%	$34,350	0.41×	Above +18%	Clears 2/2
89	Georgia College & State UniversityGA · Master's	$83,890 n=17	96% 1yr	—	—	Above +33%	—
90	Drake UniversityIA · Master's	$83,764 n=70	90% 5yr	$20,075	0.24×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
91	Clark UniversityMA · Master's	$83,740 n=24	83% 5yr	—	—	Above +11%	Below 1/2
92	Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Master's	$83,480 n=25	100% 5yr	$47,750	0.57×	Above +8%	Below 1/2
93	Binghamton UniversityNY · Master's	$83,478 n=30	93% 5yr	$28,500	0.34×	Above +18%	Below 1/2
94	The University of Texas at ArlingtonTX · Master's	$83,344 n=79	88% 5yr	$33,971	0.41×	Above +27%	Clears 2/2
95	Tarleton State UniversityTX · Master's	$83,252 n=28	90% 1yr	$35,697	0.43×	Above +27%	—
96	Northern Illinois UniversityIL · Master's	$82,907 n=45	96% 5yr	$30,500	0.37×	Above +21%	Below 1/2
97	University of Nevada-Las VegasNV · Master's	$82,864 n=52	91% 5yr	$41,660	0.50×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
98	University of GeorgiaGA · Master's	$82,476 n=65	96% 5yr	$30,250	0.37×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
99	University of OregonOR · Master's	$82,135 n=23	90% 5yr	—	—	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
100	University of KansasKS · Master's	$82,043 n=37	86% 1yr	$30,901	0.38×	Above +40%	—
101	California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCA · Master's	$81,998 n=16	—	—	—	Above +9%	—
102	University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Master's	$81,915 n=112	92% 5yr	$61,017	0.74×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
103	CUNY City CollegeNY · Master's	$81,813 n=19	95% 5yr	—	—	Above +15%	Below 1/2
104	University at AlbanyNY · Grad cert	$81,812 n=37	88% 1yr	$25,886	0.32×	Above +15%	—
105	Barry UniversityFL · Master's	$81,625 n=111	100%	$41,000	0.50×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
106	CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNY · Post-bacc cert	$81,524 n=18	—	—	—	Above +15%	—
107	James Madison UniversityVA · Master's	$81,363 n=19	100% 5yr	—	—	Above +15%	Clears 2/2
108	University of Illinois ChicagoIL · Master's	$81,041 n=50	96% 5yr	$41,000	0.51×	Above +18%	Below 1/2
109	University of Massachusetts-BostonMA · Master's	$81,029 n=37	92% 5yr	$36,245	0.45×	Above +7%	Below 1/2
110	Park UniversityMO · Master's	$80,800 n=38	100% 1yr	$43,712	0.54×	Above +39%	—
111	University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOK · Master's	$80,745 n=47	94% 5yr	$30,073	0.37×	Above +48%	Below 1/2
112	University of UtahUT · Master's	$80,501 n=62	91% 5yr	$23,000	0.29×	Above +35%	Clears 2/2
113	Indiana State UniversityIN · Master's	$80,452 n=18	85% 5yr	—	—	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
114	The University of Texas at TylerTX · Master's	$80,315 n=18	—	—	—	Above +22%	—
115	Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Master's	$80,153 n=96	89% 5yr	$33,765	0.42×	Above +22%	Clears 2/2
116	University of MaryND · Master's	$79,953 n=19	—	—	—	Above +38%	—
117	Florida State UniversityFL · Master's	$79,921 n=46	96% 5yr	$26,000	0.33×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
118	Georgia State UniversityGA · Master's	$79,793 n=60	86% 5yr	$34,250	0.43×	Above +26%	Below 1/2
119	The University of Texas at DallasTX · Master's	$79,427 n=27	91% 5yr	$40,289	0.51×	Above +21%	Clears 2/2
120	Central Michigan UniversityMI · Master's	$79,416 n=134	95% 5yr	$35,575	0.45×	Above +26%	Below 1/2
121	Florida International UniversityFL · Master's	$79,414 n=119	89% 5yr	$38,413	0.48×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
122	Regent UniversityVA · Master's	$79,312 n=21	—	$53,566	0.68×	Above +12%	—
123	Oakland UniversityMI · Master's	$79,238 n=30	97% 5yr	$46,967	0.59×	Above +26%	Clears 2/2
124	University of Central FloridaFL · Master's	$79,043 n=23	84% 5yr	$36,780	0.47×	Above +42%	Below 1/2
125	Bellevue UniversityNE · Master's	$78,464 n=42	95% 5yr	$38,286	0.49×	Above +35%	Below 1/2
126	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · Professional	$78,355 n=58	91% 5yr	$38,950	0.50×	Above +22%	Clears 2/2
127	University of North Carolina at GreensboroNC · Master's	$78,025 n=30	88% 5yr	$20,000	0.26×	Above +33%	Below 1/2
128	California Lutheran UniversityCA · Master's	$77,919 n=21	90% 5yr	—	—	Above +3%	Below 1/2
129	Westfield State UniversityMA · Master's	$77,525 n=16	—	—	—	Above +2%	—
130	Long Island UniversityNY · Master's	$77,502 n=33	96% 5yr	$61,500	0.79×	Above +9%	Clears 2/2
131	Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Bachelor's	$77,422 n=496	67%	$19,500	0.25×	Above +107%	Clears 2/2
132	University of DelawareDE · Master's	$77,421 n=43	82% 1yr	$18,999	0.24×	Above +19%	—
133	University of Illinois SpringfieldIL · Master's	$77,237 n=60	99% 5yr	$31,525	0.41×	Above +13%	Below 1/2
134	University of North TexasTX · Master's	$77,071 n=28	96% 5yr	$36,241	0.47×	Above +17%	Clears 2/2
135	Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Master's	$76,945 n=46	100% 5yr	$26,604	0.35×	Above +8%	Below 1/2
136	Ball State UniversityIN · Master's	$76,893 n=17	—	—	—	Above +32%	—
137	Grand Canyon UniversityAZ · Master's	$76,752 n=407	58%	$33,315	0.43×	Above +25%	Clears 2/2
138	Wright State University-Main CampusOH · Master's	$76,622 n=46	92% 5yr	$28,000	0.36×	Above +22%	—
139	The University of Texas at San AntonioTX · Master's	$76,337 n=58	91% 5yr	$37,147	0.49×	Above +16%	Below 1/2
140	Western Michigan UniversityMI · Master's	$76,335 n=45	93% 5yr	$42,250	0.55×	Above +21%	Below 1/2
141	Arkansas State UniversityAR · Master's	$76,032 n=158	94% 5yr	$31,713	0.42×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
142	California Baptist UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$75,949 n=30	—	$36,707	0.48×	Above +98%	—
143	University of Nebraska at OmahaNE · Master's	$75,913 n=66	94% 5yr	$28,276	0.37×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
144	Northern Kentucky UniversityKY · Master's	$75,814 n=26	86% 5yr	—	—	Above +33%	Clears 2/2
145	Capella UniversityMN · Master's	$75,626 n=90	100%	$40,561	0.54×	Above +11%	Below 1/2
146	University of North Carolina at PembrokeNC · Master's	$75,582 n=28	93% 5yr	$48,000	0.64×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
147	College of CharlestonSC · Master's	$75,145 n=26	81% 5yr	$40,493	0.54×	Above +31%	Below 1/2
148	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Master's	$75,141 n=90	96% 5yr	$49,306	0.66×	Above +22%	Clears 2/2
149	Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Master's	$75,141 n=90	96% 5yr	$49,306	0.66×	Above +22%	Clears 2/2
150	Rutgers University-CamdenNJ · Master's	$74,870 n=230	93% 5yr	$47,905	0.64×	Below -3%	Below 2/2
151	Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Master's	$74,870 n=230	93% 5yr	$47,905	0.64×	Below -3%	Below 2/2
152	Rutgers University-NewarkNJ · Master's	$74,870 n=230	93% 5yr	$47,905	0.64×	Below -3%	Below 2/2
153	Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Master's	$74,606 n=102	98% 5yr	$33,500	0.45×	Above +19%	Clears 2/2
154	Columbia Southern UniversityAL · Master's	$74,452 n=76	86% 5yr	$40,144	0.54×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
155	Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Grad cert	$74,416 n=16	84% 1yr	—	—	Above +13%	—
156	Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleIL · Master's	$74,407 n=44	89% 5yr	$33,859	0.46×	Above +9%	Below 1/2
157	West Texas A & M UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$74,261 n=20	100% 5yr	—	—	Above +108%	Clears 2/2
158	Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Grad cert	$74,213 n=29	96% 1yr	$50,822	0.69×	Below -2%	—
159	North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Master's	$74,197 n=25	85% 1yr	$35,500	0.48×	Above +26%	—
160	Eastern Michigan UniversityMI · Master's	$74,147 n=19	83% 1yr	$63,932	0.86×	Above +18%	—
161	University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSC · Master's	$73,895 n=22	—	—	—	Above +29%	—
162	University of North Carolina WilmingtonNC · Master's	$73,816 n=23	74% 5yr	$30,000	0.41×	Above +26%	Below 1/2
163	Lindenwood UniversityMO · Master's	$73,408 n=16	—	—	—	Above +27%	—
164	Florida Atlantic UniversityFL · Master's	$73,084 n=23	87% 5yr	$52,785	0.72×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
165	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · UG cert	$72,965 n=24	—	—	—	Above +98%	—
166	Western Carolina UniversityNC · Master's	$72,948 n=21	81% 5yr	$26,000	0.36×	Above +24%	Below 1/2
167	Centenary UniversityNJ · Master's	$72,713 n=16	—	—	—	Below -6%	—
168	California State University-Los AngelesCA · Master's	$72,670 n=29	100% 1yr	$29,334	0.40×	Below -4%	—
169	The University of Texas at El PasoTX · Master's	$72,517 n=24	96% 5yr	$20,500	0.28×	Above +11%	Below 1/2
170	Cleveland State UniversityOH · Master's	$72,439 n=41	97% 5yr	$27,000	0.37×	Above +15%	Below 1/2
171	Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Bachelor's	$72,437 n=59	90% 1yr	$23,014	0.32×	Above +63%	—
172	University of Nevada-Las VegasNV · Bachelor's	$72,433 n=30	80% 5yr	$19,495	0.27×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
173	Kean UniversityNJ · Master's	$72,414 n=39	91% 5yr	$41,000	0.57×	Below -6%	Below 2/2
174	University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Master's	$72,410 n=31	97% 5yr	$32,015	0.44×	Above +23%	Clears 2/2
175	Florida State UniversityFL · Post-bacc cert	$72,105 n=18	—	—	—	Above +30%	—
176	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLA · Master's	$72,035 n=34	90% 1yr	$34,893	0.48×	Above +25%	—
177	University of KentuckyKY · Master's	$71,952 n=21	96% 5yr	$25,158	0.35×	Above +26%	Below 1/2
178	James Madison UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$71,626 n=66	97% 5yr	$18,250	0.26×	Above +88%	Clears 2/2
179	Grand Valley State UniversityMI · Master's	$71,404 n=55	96% 5yr	$35,751	0.50×	Above +13%	Below 1/2
180	Nova Southeastern UniversityFL · Master's	$71,298 n=31	92% 5yr	$61,500	0.86×	Above +28%	Clears 2/2
181	Franklin UniversityOH · Master's	$71,172 n=40	100% 5yr	$39,532	0.56×	Above +13%	Below 1/2
182	University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Master's	$71,035 n=21	—	—	—	Above +5%	Below 1/2
183	Upper Iowa UniversityIA · Master's	$70,924 n=28	92% 5yr	$50,069	0.71×	Above +20%	Clears 2/2
184	University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO · Grad cert	$70,885 n=20	86% 1yr	$26,234	0.37×	Above +22%	—
185	Troy UniversityAL · Master's	$70,721 n=57	88% 5yr	$44,295	0.63×	Above +23%	Clears 2/2
186	Ohio University-Main CampusOH · Master's	$70,572 n=59	100% 5yr	$41,000	0.58×	Above +12%	Below 1/2
187	Framingham State UniversityMA · Master's	$70,493 n=18	91% 1yr	—	—	Below -7%	—
188	Upper Iowa UniversityIA · Bachelor's	$70,374 n=24	86% 1yr	$25,000	0.35×	Above +83%	—
189	Western Carolina UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$70,331 n=41	90% 5yr	$17,234	0.24×	Above +105%	Clears 2/2
190	Flagler CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$70,202 n=48	86% 5yr	$21,117	0.30×	Above +108%	Clears 2/2
191	Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiTX · Master's	$69,631 n=18	79% 1yr	$37,812	0.54×	Above +6%	—
192	East Carolina UniversityNC · Master's	$69,522 n=17	94% 5yr	—	—	Above +18%	Clears 2/2
193	Indiana University-NorthwestIN · Master's	$69,335 n=25	85% 5yr	$36,780	0.53×	Above +19%	Clears 2/2
194	Liberty UniversityVA · Master's	$69,247 n=17	85% 1yr	$30,556	0.44×	Below -3%	—
195	CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$69,033 n=61	89% 5yr	$14,159	0.20×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
196	University of ArizonaAZ · Master's	$68,881 n=26	90% 5yr	$34,798	0.51×	Above +12%	Clears 2/2
197	California State University-ChicoCA · Master's	$68,840 n=20	—	—	—	Below -9%	—
198	California State University-FullertonCA · Bachelor's	$68,497 n=49	96% 5yr	$12,981	0.19×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
199	Walden UniversityMN · Master's	$68,434 n=129	93% 5yr	$43,814	0.64×	Above +0%	Below 1/2
200	Valdosta State UniversityGA · Master's	$68,427 n=26	94% 5yr	$32,434	0.47×	Above +8%	Below 1/2
201	Ashford UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$68,344 n=26	81% 5yr	$33,349	0.49×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
202	Texas State UniversityTX · Master's	$68,342 n=38	93% 5yr	$22,440	0.33×	Above +4%	Clears 2/2
203	University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's	$68,272 n=33	100%	$38,250	0.56×	Above +86%	Clears 2/2
204	University of Akron Main CampusOH · Master's	$68,211 n=20	83% 5yr	$51,250	0.75×	Above +9%	Below 1/2
205	The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyTX · Master's	$68,057 n=72	87% 5yr	$21,250	0.31×	Above +4%	Below 1/2
206	California State University-Dominguez HillsCA · Bachelor's	$68,008 n=66	92% 5yr	$17,250	0.25×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
207	George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$67,973 n=34	94% 5yr	$18,750	0.28×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
208	Indiana University-KokomoIN · Master's	$67,820 n=20	—	—	—	Above +17%	—
209	Florida State UniversityFL · UG cert	$67,522 n=160	61% 1yr	$17,534	0.26×	Above +100%	—
210	University of North FloridaFL · Master's	$67,442 n=20	100% 5yr	$39,999	0.59×	Above +21%	Below 1/2
211	Jacksonville State UniversityAL · Master's	$67,184 n=29	—	$32,030	0.48×	Above +17%	—
212	University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · Master's	$67,108 n=253	97%	$32,572	0.48×	Above +9%	Below 1/2
213	University of OregonOR · Bachelor's	$67,030 n=49	83% 5yr	$15,795	0.24×	Above +83%	Clears 2/2
214	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNY · Bachelor's	$66,834 n=95	77% 5yr	$14,604	0.22×	Above +76%	Clears 2/2
215	University of Michigan-FlintMI · Master's	$66,535 n=49	94% 5yr	$41,000	0.62×	Above +6%	Below 1/2
216	Wayne State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$66,396 n=22	—	$23,086	0.35×	Above +89%	—
217	Augusta UniversityGA · Master's	$66,362 n=24	89% 1yr	$31,699	0.48×	Above +5%	—
218	University of Hawaii at ManoaHI · Master's	$66,275 n=16	95% 5yr	—	—	Above +12%	Clears 2/2
219	Auburn UniversityAL · Bachelor's	$66,141 n=28	70% 5yr	$20,500	0.31×	Above +92%	Clears 2/2
220	North Carolina Central UniversityNC · Master's	$65,374 n=75	90% 5yr	$62,084	0.95×	Above +11%	Below 1/2
221	The University of MontanaMT · Master's	$65,365 n=33	95% 5yr	$30,638	0.47×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
222	Boise State UniversityID · Master's	$65,231 n=33	95% 1yr	$23,596	0.36×	Above +23%	Below 1/2
223	University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's	$64,953 n=71	91% 5yr	$20,202	0.31×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
224	Texas Southern UniversityTX · Master's	$64,662 n=81	88% 5yr	$52,147	0.81×	Below -1%	Below 2/2
225	Saint Peter's UniversityNJ · Master's	$64,106 n=23	—	$41,000	0.64×	Below -17%	—
226	Ashford UniversityCA · Master's	$63,856 n=109	100%	$41,000	0.64×	Below -15%	Below 2/2
227	Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Master's	$63,462 n=27	89% 5yr	$38,500	0.61×	Above +0%	Below 1/2
228	University of West GeorgiaGA · Master's	$63,152 n=16	100% 5yr	$29,312	0.46×	Below +0%	Below 2/2
229	University of New Mexico-Main CampusNM · Master's	$62,611 n=42	95% 5yr	$41,889	0.67×	Above +19%	Clears 2/2
230	University of South FloridaFL · Master's	$62,465 n=24	97% 5yr	$30,455	0.49×	Above +12%	Clears 2/2
231	Florida International UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$62,424 n=115	56%	$23,000	0.37×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
232	Strayer University-AlabamaAL · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Above +9%	Below 1/2
233	Strayer University-ArkansasAR · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Above +14%	Clears 2/2
234	Strayer University-DelawareDE · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -4%	Below 2/2
235	Strayer University-District of ColumbiaDC · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -28%	Below 2/2
236	Strayer University-FloridaFL · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Above +12%	Below 1/2
237	Strayer University-GeorgiaGA · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -1%	Below 2/2
238	Strayer University-Global RegionDC · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -28%	Below 2/2
239	Strayer University-MarylandMD · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -18%	Below 2/2
240	Strayer University-MississippiMS · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Above +24%	Clears 2/2
241	Strayer University-New JerseyNJ · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -19%	Below 2/2
242	Strayer University-North CarolinaNC · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Above +6%	Below 1/2
243	Strayer University-PennsylvaniaPA · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -3%	Below 2/2
244	Strayer University-South CarolinaSC · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Above +9%	Below 1/2
245	Strayer University-TennesseeTN · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Above +9%	Below 1/2
246	Strayer University-TexasTX · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -5%	Below 2/2
247	Strayer University-VirginiaVA · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Below -12%	Below 2/2
248	Strayer University-West VirginiaWV · Master's	$62,227 n=185	79%	$81,723	1.31×	Above +20%	Clears 2/2
249	Texas A & M International UniversityTX · Master's	$62,148 n=18	—	—	—	Below -5%	—
250	Appalachian State UniversityNC · Master's	$62,027 n=20	88% 5yr	$23,172	0.37×	Above +6%	Clears 2/2

Showing the top 250 of 299 institution-programs by median earnings; 49 lower-earning programs are omitted from the table for length.

% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.

By state — median earnings, 4 yrs out

State	Median earn 4yr	Programs
Minnesota	$93,090	5
Washington	$91,499	3
Maryland	$90,214	6
Massachusetts	$87,852	10
Pennsylvania	$87,710	9
Connecticut	$86,879	7
California	$85,338	31
District of Columbia	$85,046	4
New York	$83,704	20
Oregon	$82,135	3
Illinois	$81,974	6
Indiana	$77,422	11
Virginia	$76,945	11
New Jersey	$74,870	11
Texas	$74,261	21
South Carolina	$73,895	5
North Carolina	$72,679	12
Missouri	$72,146	6
Kentucky	$71,952	3
Ohio	$71,806	10
Florida	$71,298	17
Iowa	$70,649	4
Michigan	$68,970	10
Arizona	$68,881	9
Alabama	$66,141	7

States with at least 3 reporting Public Administration programs, by median graduate earnings.

Frequently asked

Which colleges have the highest-paying Public Administration programs?

By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Public Administration programs in this dataset are Harvard University ($177,149), Anna Maria College ($123,207), Golden Gate University ($122,598). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.

Are Public Administration programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?

Indicatively, 43 of the 299 Public Administration programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.