by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a public administration degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the early-career earnings of their public administration graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send public administration graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Barry University the top school for public administration graduate earnings in the United States. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Administration graduates of Barry University earn a median of about $72,493 a year early in their careers.
University Of La Verne came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from University Of La Verne typically earn about $85,403 annually.
West Texas A And M University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from West Texas A And M University typically earn about $80,893 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Colorado State University Global Campus earned it the #4 place for public administration. Colorado State University Global Campus is a public school located in the city of Denver. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,182.
A rank of #5 makes National University one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from National University typically earn about $77,077 annually.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. California State University Northridge is a public school located in the city of Northridge. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $76,049 annually.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #7 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Early-career public administration graduates from University Of Maryland University College make a median of around $74,053 per year.
California Baptist University came in at #8 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Administration graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of about $68,682 a year early in their careers.
Upper Iowa University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career public administration graduates from Upper Iowa University make a median of around $75,905 per year.
Ashford University landed the #10 spot for public administration salaries this year. Ashford University is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Ashford University typically earn about $64,804 annually.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #11 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Public Administration graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of about $68,415 a year early in their careers.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #12 spot for public administration salaries this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from California State University Bakersfield typically earn about $63,595 annually.
George Mason University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career public administration graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $72,841 per year.
Syracuse University landed the #14 spot for public administration salaries this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,419.
University Of Kansas landed the #15 spot for public administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from University Of Kansas typically earn about $58,908 annually.
Western Carolina University came in at #16 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,307.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $74,845 annually.
Miami University Oxford earned the #18 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Miami University Oxford is a public school located in the town of Oxford. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Miami University Oxford typically earn about $74,271 annually.
James Madison University came in at #19 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of James Madison University earn a median of about $69,552 a year early in their careers.
Flagler College St Augustine earned the #20 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Administration graduates of Flagler College St Augustine earn a median of about $49,473 a year early in their careers.
Cleveland State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Cleveland State University is a public school located in the city of Cleveland. Early-career public administration graduates from Cleveland State University make a median of around $54,917 per year.
Auburn University earned the #22 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of Auburn University earn a median of about $54,761 a year early in their careers.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #23 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills typically earn about $65,441 annually.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,522.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #25 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,981.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid public administration ranking:
Explore the highest-paying public administration schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries public administration graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 52 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.