Best colleges for Public Administration
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Public Administration by graduate earnings are Barry University ($103,107), National University ($77,077) and California State University - Northridge ($76,049), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Barry University (Miami, FL): $103,107, 80 graduates a year
- National University (San Diego, CA): $77,077, 111 graduates a year
- California State University - Northridge (Northridge, CA): $76,049, 181 graduates a year
- California Baptist University (Riverside, CA): $68,682, 41 graduates a year
- Upper Iowa University (Fayette, IA): $61,104, 37 graduates a year
Compare 435 U.S. colleges offering Public Administration by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
Public Administration programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,471 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 44.04 and the General and Operations Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Public Administration programs
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 operation of government agencies and non-profit organizations. Students will gain insights into policy implementation, public service ethics, and organizational management.
In this program, students will develop essential skills in administration and management, customer service, and critical thinking. Coursework typically covers topics such as financial management, personnel and human resources, and effective communication, equipping graduates with the tools needed for successful careers in public administration.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Barry University Miami, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,107 | 80 | 38% | $24,719 | $25,728 |
| 2 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,077 | 111 | 43% | $31,817 | $31,603 |
| 3 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,049 | 181 | 57% | — | $37,500 |
| 4 | California Baptist University Riverside, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,682 | 41 | 62% | $26,940 | $39,244 |
| 5 | Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,104 | 37 | 34% | $22,697 | $31,000 |
| 6 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,674 | 98 | 68% | — | $20,106 |
| 7 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,445 | 134 | 60% | — | $18,375 |
| 8 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,912 | 232 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,000 |
| 9 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,881 | 162 | 56% | — | $13,895 |
| 10 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,396 | 59 | 80% | — | $19,500 |
| 11 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,013 | 600 | 80% | — | $20,731 |
| 12 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,491 | 57 | 55% | — | $27,418 |
| 13 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,301 | 39 | 59% | — | $27,500 |
| 14 | Florida International University Miami, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,281 | 126 | 74% | — | $27,022 |
| 15 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,047 | 79 | 63% | — | $19,804 |
| 16 | Kean University Union, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,850 | 53 | 47% | — | $31,000 |
| 17 | California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,471 | 114 | 43% | — | $18,965 |
| 18 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,110 | 85 | 54% | — | $25,000 |
| 19 | University of Hawaii-West Oahu Kapolei, HI Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,481 | 105 | 50% | — | $21,000 |
| 20 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,650 | 177 | 88% | — | $21,887 |
| 21 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,020 | 64 | 76% | — | $15,000 |
| 22 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,365 | 87 | 72% | — | $16,166 |
| 23 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,136 | 29 | 68% | — | $21,000 |
| 24 | Wayne State University Detroit, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,767 | 24 | 58% | — | $30,750 |
| 25 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,681 | 154 | 78% | — | $22,453 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Graduate degree | $56,236 | 105 | 86% | — | $20,125 |
Specializations within Public Administration
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 44.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Public AdministrationCIP 44.040113,652 graduates / yr431 institutions53 states
- Public AdministrationCIP 44.0499New in CIP 2020partial data76 graduates / yr6 institutions5 states
- Public Works ManagementCIP 44.0402New in CIP 2020limited data35 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/CIP 44.0403
Studies New in CIP 2020partial data33 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
Offered across 53 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-1021, General and Operations Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Public Administration program can expect a positive job outlook, with an estimated growth rate of 4.4% and approximately 308,700 annual openings in the field. The median wage for professionals in this area is $102,950, and a typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Public Administration
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 44.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 44.04 (Public Administration) maps to 10 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-1011 | Chief Executives |
| 11-1021 | General and Operations Managersprimary |
| 11-1031 | Legislators |
| 11-3071 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers |
| 11-9021 | Construction Managers |
| 11-9131 | Postmasters and Mail Superintendents |
| 11-9151 | Social and Community Service Managers |
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3051 | Urban and Regional Planners |
| 53-6041 | Traffic Technicians |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Public Administration programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
- Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
- Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.
Common questions
What are the specializations available in Public Administration?+
Specializations include Public Administration, Public Works Management, Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies, and Public Administration, Other.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What kind of jobs can I get with a degree in Public Administration?+
Career opportunities include roles in government agencies, non-profits, and private sector organizations focused on public service.
What is the typical education required for a career in Public Administration?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Public Administration.
How much do Public Administration graduates earn?+
Public Administration graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,471, College Scorecard (2019); the General and Operations Managers occupation pays about $134,940 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Public Administration?+
Public Administration maps to CIP 44.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card