Public Administration And Social Service ProfessionsSpecialization of Public Administration

Best institutions to study Public Administration

CIP 44.0499New in CIP 2020

Any program in public administration not listed above.

6 U.S. institutions graduated 76 Public Administration students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 44.0499, a specialization of Public Administration (CIP 44.04), and leads most directly to the Managers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 11-9199).

Institutions
6
offering CIP 44.0499
States & territories
5
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
76
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
47%
share of graduates
US median pay · Managers, All Other
$141,900
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Public Administration
0.6%
of all Public Administration graduates

About Public Administration programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 44.0499
Any program in public administration not listed above.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Public Administration program focuses on the study of government policies, public service, and the management of public resources. It is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in public service, non-profit organizations, or governmental agencies. This program offers a pathway for students to develop the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of public administration.

Learn more about Public Administration →

What you'll learn

Students in the Public Administration program will gain knowledge in various aspects of public policy, organizational management, and community engagement. Coursework typically emphasizes critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and effective communication skills essential for success in public service roles.

Credentials awarded

What Public Administration graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Master's degree54 graduates / yr · 4 institutions
    71%
  • Postbaccalaureate certificate16 graduates / yr · 1 institution
    21%
  • Award of less than 12 weeks6 graduates / yr · 1 institution
    7.9%

Graduates over time

Public Administration completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

76graduates in 2025
+192% since 2022
202220252676
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
202226
202347
202453
202576

CIP 44.0499 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.

Top 6 institutions for Public Administration, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet price
1Calumet College of Saint Joseph
Whiting, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
2823%$21,408
2Villanova University
Villanova, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.
1692%$33,774
3Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
1386%$33,106
4EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Juan
San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
1024%$5,708
5Hamline University
Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks
660%$20,981
6EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc - San Sebastian
San Sebastian, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
329%$7,300

Offered in 5 states & territories

Where Public Administration graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Administration programs offered there.

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9199, Managers, All Other, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Public Administration program often pursue careers as managers in various sectors. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 4.5% and approximately 106,700 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $136,550, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.5%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~106,700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$136,550
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
622,190
Managers, All Other
US average pay
$153,890
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$141,900
annual

Top-paying metros

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$235,090avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$211,720avg
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
$201,040avg
Boulder, CO
$192,470avg
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT
$190,550avg

Career pathways for CIP 44.0499

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Managers, All Otherprimary
SOC 11-9199
$141,900+4.5%
About as fast as average
~106,700Bachelor's degree

Related careers

Other Public Administration specializations

The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Administration (CIP 44.04).

Common questions

What degrees can I earn in this program?+

You can earn a Master's degree, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award of less than 12 weeks.

How many colleges offer this program?+

There are 6 colleges in the U.S. offering the Public Administration program.

What is the average number of graduates per year?+

Approximately 76 graduates complete this program each year in the U.S.

What types of careers can I pursue?+

Graduates often work as managers in various sectors, including government and non-profit organizations.

What is the CIP code for Public Administration?+

Public Administration is CIP 44.0499 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Administration (CIP 44.04). NCES defines it as: Any program in public administration not listed above.

How many institutions offer Public Administration programs?+

6 U.S. institutions reported Public Administration graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states & territories, awarding 76 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Public Administration graduates.

How much do Public Administration graduates earn?+

Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Managers, All Other occupation, which Public Administration most directly leads to, pays a median of $141,900 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

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