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 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their public administration graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose public administration graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the top school for public administration graduate earnings in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of about $80,958 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes East Carolina University one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. East Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Greenville. Early-career public administration graduates from East Carolina University make a median of around $70,237 per year.
Western Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Western Carolina University is a public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Public Administration graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of about $61,272 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. Early-career public administration graduates from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte make a median of around $70,893 per year.
A rank of #5 makes North Carolina Central University one of the highest-paying schools for public administration. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from North Carolina Central University typically earn about $65,070 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #6 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public school located in the town of Pembroke. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of about $68,207 a year early in their careers.
Appalachian State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for public administration. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of about $65,999 a year early in their careers.
Strayer University North Carolina earned the #8 position for public administration graduate earnings this year. Strayer University North Carolina is a private for-profit school located in the city of Greensboro. Public Administration graduates of Strayer University North Carolina earn a median of about $60,858 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying public administration schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. After graduating, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington typically earn about $55,828 annually.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #10 spot for public administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Public Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of about $51,393 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #11 spot for public administration salaries this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Students who complete the public administration program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,746.
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.