Best colleges for Public Administration in Rhode Island
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University and Rhode Island College award the most Public Administration degrees and certificates in Rhode Island: 91, 15 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 Rhode Island colleges offer Public Administration and award 112 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 | Rhode Island College Providence Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,409 | 5 | 48% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Public Administration degrees in Rhode Island
Top 3 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 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public | 91 | Not reported |
| 2 | Roger Williams University Bristol Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 3 | Rhode Island College Providence Public | 5 | $32,409 |
ShowHide the other 1 Rhode Island colleges offering Public Administration
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University - Online (Online) | Providence | 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 Rhode Island
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Public Administration programs in Rhode Island.
Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Public Administration degrees?+
University of Rhode Island (91 graduates a year), Roger Williams University (15 graduates a year) and Rhode Island College (5 graduates a year) award the most Public Administration degrees and certificates in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 Rhode Island colleges offer Public Administration.
How much do General and Operations Managers earn in Rhode Island?+
The average annual wage for General and Operations Managers in Rhode Island is $143,370 (median $117,380), across about 9,150 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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