by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 436 U.S. colleges awarded 13,879 degrees and certificates in Public Administration. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 80% of graduates. College Factual ranks 273 schools in its 2027 Best Public Administration Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $60,822 one year after completing, rising to $77,875 after four years.
While in school, you were the treasurer of student council, editor of the school's newspaper, or class president; always acting as a catalyst for change. So, what's next for you? A Public Administration degree will prepare you for running the executive arm of local, state, and federal government - allowing you to create policies that will bring positive change.
Business principles as well as politics are important in a Public Administration program. Classroom lectures will infuse business lessons into public administration curriculum, with instruction focusing on: the management of public policy, public budgetary processes and financial management, public personnel management, professional ethics, administrative law, and research methods. Your program may even offer the option to specialize in urban studies, criminal justice, or public opinion.
A major in Public Administration explores Public Administration.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, public administration is a popular field of study, with 13,879 degrees awarded annually. 436 colleges award public administration degrees, an average of 32 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 600.
By level, the 13,879 awards include 33 certificates, 106 associate degrees, 2,270 bachelor’s degrees, 11,063 master’s degrees and 393 doctorates.
Women earned 58% of public administration degrees and certificates in the latest year (8,046 of 13,879). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,008) and Black or African American (2,340), and international students earned 1,321.
College Factual ranks 273 schools in its 2027 Best Public Administration Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees, 49 for bachelor’s degrees, 255 for master’s degrees and 9 for doctorates. It also ranks public administration schools within 47 states. In all, 436 colleges offer public administration programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Public Administration Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common public administration credential is the master’s degree: 11,063 of the 13,879 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to public administration call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of English Language, Administration and Management and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Students in this program should have a passion for creating positive change for communities. Communication, teamwork, and policy development skills are crucial to creating change in the public sector. Public administrators often have to find common ground for a diverse group that are on opposite sides of an issue, so the ability to see all sides of an issue is also extremely helpful.
No matter what type of job you take in public administration, you will be expected to have a good understanding of the government and a knack for business. Analytical and research skills will be invaluable as you move forward with your career in public administration. Problem solving will become your specialty, as you discuss ways to fix society's most urgent issues.
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How long a public administration degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 33 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 106 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,270 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11,063 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 393 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to public administration, at 48.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 48.4% |
| Master’s degree | 15.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.4% |
| Some college courses | 5.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
18 occupations are related to Public Administration, with an average median salary of $114,544; the strongest outlook belongs to Social and Community Service Managers, at 13.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Project Coordinator, Distribution Superintendent, Station Manager and Telegraph Office Manager.
A career in public administration encompasses a wide range of interests in federal, state, and local government, advocacy groups, and non-profit organizations. Graduates find jobs as administrative officers of a municipality, policy analysts, city or county managers, safety inspectors, criminal or private investigators, custom or border guard inspectors, and labor management relations specialists. At the government level, you can work for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The occupation related to public administration with the most projected jobs is Traffic Technicians, at 767,409.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Technicians | 767,409 | 9.7% |
| Construction Managers | 496,716 | -0.3% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Chief Sustainability Officers | 440,982 | 0.5% |
| Supply Chain Managers | 421,849 | 12.7% |
| Chief Executives | 374,558 | -2.8% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
Public Administration graduates earn a median $60,822 one year after completing their program, $77,875 after four years and $74,222 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,822 |
| 4 years | $77,875 |
| 5 years | $74,222 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to public administration is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Legislators | $167,600 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
| General and Operations Managers | $149,694 |
| Chief Executives | $138,534 |
| Supply Chain Managers | $138,103 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
Public Administration includes 4 concentrations that together award 13,879 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Public Administration (13,735), Public Administration, Other (76) and Public Works Management (35). It has 5 similar majors in the Public & Social Service field, which together award 80,161 degrees a year; the largest are Social Work (58,123), PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS (12,294) and Public Policy Analysis (6,226). Browse all Public & Social Service majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 13,735 |
| Public Administration, Other | 76 |
| Public Works Management | 35 |
| Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies | 33 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 58,123 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS | 12,294 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 6,226 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 3,027 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 491 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
