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 9 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. Early-career public administration graduates from University Of La Verne make a median of around $85,403 per year.
National University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career public administration graduates from National University make a median of around $77,077 per year.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. 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.
California Baptist University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Set 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.
Students chasing top earnings in public administration will find them at Ashford University, which ranked #5. Ashford University is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Public Administration graduates of Ashford University earn a median of about $64,804 a year early in their careers.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #6 position for public administration graduate earnings 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.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for public administration graduate earnings this year. 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 earned the #8 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $68,007 annually.
San Diego State University earned the #9 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located 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.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 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.