Best colleges for Public Administration in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Western Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central University award the most Public Administration degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 134, 61 and 60 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 North Carolina colleges offer Public Administration and award 495 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Public Administration program focuses on the principles and practices involved in managing public sector organizations and services. It is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers that contribute to the effective…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,445 | 134 | 60% | — | $18,375 |
Colleges awarding the most Public Administration degrees in North Carolina
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 134 | $56,445 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public | 61 | Not reported |
| 3 | North Carolina Central University Durham Public | 60 | Not reported |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 48 | Not reported |
| 5 | Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs Private not-for-profit | 37 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public | 30 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public | 28 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 9 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 10 | Appalachian State University Boone Public | 17 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 6 North Carolina colleges offering Public Administration
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strayer University - North Carolina (Online) | Greensboro | Private for-profit | 13 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke | Public | 12 |
| Montreat College | Montreat | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Mars Hill University | Mars Hill | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Augustine's University | Raleigh | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Elon University | Elon | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: General and Operations Managers (SOC 11-1021).
Top skills
What General and Operations Managers earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Public Administration programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Public Administration degrees?+
Western Carolina University (134 graduates a year), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (61 graduates a year) and North Carolina Central University (60 graduates a year) award the most Public Administration degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 North Carolina colleges offer Public Administration.
Which Public Administration program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Western Carolina University tops the list at $56,445. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do General and Operations Managers earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for General and Operations Managers in North Carolina is $128,520 (median $101,950), across about 63,740 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Public Administration program?+
The Public Administration program focuses on the principles and practices involved in managing public sector organizations and services. It is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers that contribute to the effective…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, monitoring, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for General and Operations Managers?+
The national job outlook is about +4.4% growth with around 308,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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