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 schools below stand out for the salaries their public administration graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find where public administration graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose public administration graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in public administration, no school beat University Of La Verne this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Administration graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of about $85,403 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in public administration will find them at National University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Administration graduates of National University earn a median of about $77,077 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in public administration will find them at California State University Northridge, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,049.
A rank of #4 makes California Baptist University one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,682.
A rank of #5 makes Ashford University one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Ashford University typically earn about $64,804 annually.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #6 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,595.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of about $65,441 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Early-career public administration graduates from California State University Fullerton make a median of around $68,007 per year.
University Of Oregon landed the #9 spot for public administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of about $61,025 a year early in their careers.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu came in at #10 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from University Of Hawaii West Oahu typically earn about $53,361 annually.
San Diego State University came in at #11 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,842.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their public administration graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 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.