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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their public administration graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send public administration graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 for public administration graduate salaries in the New England Region. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Harvard University typically earn about $140,456 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in public administration will find them at Anna Maria College, which ranked #2. Anna Maria College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paxton. Public Administration graduates of Anna Maria College earn a median of about $106,733 a year early in their careers.
Suffolk University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. Public Administration graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of about $85,129 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. University Of Rhode Island is a public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Public Administration graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of about $78,798 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in public administration will find them at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,920.
Northeastern University landed the #6 spot for public administration salaries this year. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Northeastern University typically earn about $87,343 annually.
University Of Connecticut earned the #7 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Early-career public administration graduates from University Of Connecticut make a median of around $88,821 per year.
University Of New Haven came in at #8 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from University Of New Haven typically earn about $73,170 annually.
Norwich University came in at #9 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,254.
Post University came in at #10 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a private for-profit institution. Public Administration graduates of Post University earn a median of about $68,873 a year early in their careers.
Albertus Magnus College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. Set in the city of New Haven, Albertus Magnus College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career public administration graduates from Albertus Magnus College make a median of around $67,697 per year.
Roger Williams University came in at #12 for public administration graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Bristol, Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Roger Williams University typically earn about $64,783 annually.
Clark University landed the #13 spot for public administration salaries this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,812.
Framingham State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from Framingham State University typically earn about $59,568 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 14 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.