General
Public Administration
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Public Administration.
Entry Level Salary
$42,000
Median Salary
$83,300
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
34.9%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,332,000
Entry (Early)
$42,000
Median (Prime)
$83,300
High (Prime)
$88,491
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-77k
+270k
+312k
$25k / yr
-167k
+180k
+222k
$50k / yr
-257k
+90k
+132k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
26
$25k / yr
Never
33
31
$50k / yr
Never
42
39
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-153%
166%
204%
$50k / yr
-118%
41%
61%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate46.5%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Management occupations
7.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,393
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$103,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Police officers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$108,000|$76,300
openings
53,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Top executives
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$97,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$150,000|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Education and childcare administrators
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,888|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$55,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$118,178|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$18,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Social and community service managers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,095
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,000|$78,240
openings
18,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.4%
Management analysts
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$22,418
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,000|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Human resources workers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,271
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,000|$74,220
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.8%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$57,401
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,735|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| public administration and social service professions, other. | Undergrad Certificate | 1 | $42,085 - $42,085 |
| public administration and social service professions, other. | Associate's Degree | 5 | $31,310 - $36,511 |
| public administration and social service professions, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 12 | $48,088 - $92,433 |
| public administration and social service professions, other. | Master's Degree | 10 | $35,764 - $144,949 |
| public administration and social service professions, other. | Doctoral Degree | 1 | $68,761 - $68,761 |
| public administration. | Associate's Degree | 1 | $48,183 - $48,183 |
| public administration. | Bachelor's Degree | 54 | $38,943 - $85,403 |
| public administration. | Post-bacc Certificate | 1 | $89,626 - $89,626 |
| public administration. | Master's Degree | 237 | $45,893 - $140,456 |
| public administration. | Doctoral Degree | 1 | $105,116 - $105,116 |
| public administration. | First Professional Degree | 1 | $82,619 - $82,619 |
| public administration. | Graduate Certificate | 1 | $104,144 - $104,144 |