by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 58 U.S. colleges awarded 491 degrees and certificates in Other Public Administration. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 51% of graduates. College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Other Public Administration Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $53,469 one year after completing, rising to $66,516 after four years.
If you seek a career that serves the public good, consider majoring in Public Administration and Social Service Professions. This major comes with a lot of responsibility, but also a great opportunity to implement positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.
The curriculum involves a hybrid of classes from the following coursework: Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Work, and Youth Services. You will learn topics such as drug and alcohol counseling, community development, psychology, leadership, financial management, and policy and development. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to analyze, manage, and deliver public programs and services for the greater good of the community. These programs can focus on youth, teens, and family services, healthcare, or mental illness.
A major in Other Public Administration covers Public Administration And Social Service Professions, Other.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, other public administration is a widely-pursued major, with 491 degrees awarded annually. 58 colleges award other public administration degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 53.
By level, the 491 awards include 1 certificates, 36 associate degrees, 178 bachelor’s degrees, 248 master’s degrees and 28 doctorates.
Women earned 73% of other public administration degrees and certificates in the latest year (360 of 491). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (164) and Hispanic or Latino (128), and international students earned 37.
College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Other Public Administration Schools ranking, including 5 for bachelor’s degrees and 3 for master’s degrees. It also ranks other public administration schools within 6 states. In all, 58 colleges offer other public administration programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Public Administration Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other public administration credential is the master’s degree: 248 of the 491 awarded in the latest year.
There is a lot of work to be done in the field of public service. Not a lot of it is glamorous, but it can be a very rewarding career. A passion to serve the community will allow you to thrive in this field. You will work with diverse populations including many people who suffer from mental illness, abuse or personal hardship. Empathy, patience and kindness go a long way.
A solid understanding of government policies and knack for fundraising will help you succeed. More importantly, you will need to have great social skills. You must be able to build trust with your clients and communicate with a variety of professionals to help solve individual problems as well as develop public policy.
How long an other public administration degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 36 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 178 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 248 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 28 |
Those working in this field are committed to making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. Public Administration and Social Service professionals work in a variety of fields, ranging from child services to welfare administrators. No matter the job title, your main responsibility is to support citizens, while empowering them to help themselves. Careers can include government or non-profit work with the broad responsibility to implement government policy and encourage civil service. Job titles include: Non-profit manager, social worker, corrections officer, and policy analyst.
Other Public Administration graduates earn a median $53,469 one year after completing their program, $66,516 after four years and $61,466 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $53,469 |
| 4 years | $66,516 |
| 5 years | $61,466 |
Source: College Scorecard.
Other Public Administration includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (491). It has 5 similar majors in the Public & Social Service field, which together award 93,549 degrees a year; the largest are Social Work (58,123), Public Administration (13,879) and PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS (12,294). Browse all Public & Social Service majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 491 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 58,123 |
| Public Administration | 13,879 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS | 12,294 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 6,226 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 3,027 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
