by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying public administration schools.
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.
Northwestern University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools in Illinois. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $106,467.
Depaul University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career public administration graduates from Depaul University make a median of around $82,735 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in public administration will find them at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Early-career public administration graduates from Northern Illinois University make a median of around $79,318 per year.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career public administration graduates from University Of Illinois At Chicago make a median of around $80,598 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in public administration will find them at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #5. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public school located in the city of Springfield. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,799.
Roosevelt University came in at #6 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Public Administration graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of about $59,363 a year early in their careers.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #7 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,333.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #8 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Early-career public administration graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale make a median of around $55,182 per year.
Aurora University earned the #9 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Early-career public administration graduates from Aurora University make a median of around $42,605 per year.
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.