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MASTER'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 4404

Public Administration: is this master's degree worth it?

National picture across 244 reporting college programs.

Personal baseline needed

$77,329 in median year-4 earnings

A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.

$77,329Median year-4 earnings

$18,308Average institution net-price context

Not availableMedian federal debt

Use your actual price and alternative earnings before evaluating return. Model your own starting point →

WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$77,329Median reported earnings · year 4

$75,176Average reported earnings · year 5

Not availableMedian federal debt

49thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential

67IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges

244With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 15 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings: $67,522
Federal debt: $20,125
Reporting programs: 3

3 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $64,953
Federal debt: $23,626
Reporting programs: 52

47 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Post-baccalaureate Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $76,815
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 2

2 report earnings →CURRENT VIEW

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $77,329
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 244

244 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Doctoral Degree

Year-4 earnings: $100,861
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

First Professional Degree

Year-4 earnings: $78,355
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 1

1 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Graduate/Professional Certificate

Year-4 earnings: $74,416
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 5

5 report earnings →

COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median

25th percentile$66,535National median$77,32975th percentile$86,093

244 programs report year‑4 earnings.

DECISION CHECK

What to compare before choosing a program

The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.

$86,09375th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs

Not availableMedian federal debt across programs that report it

0Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median

Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →

Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

StateCollege typeMaximum federal debtSort by

100 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges

1Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$177,149Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$19,066

2Anna Maria CollegePaxton, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$123,207Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$28,333

3Golden Gate UniversitySan Francisco, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$122,598Federal debtNot availableAnnual net priceNot available

4Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$122,517Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$18,809

5Calumet College of Saint JosephWhiting, IN · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$121,754Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$22,451

6Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$115,874Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$21,590

7George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$113,891Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$36,586

8New York UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$109,946Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$37,050

9San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$108,093Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,278

10Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$107,868Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$38,793

11American UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$107,866Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$41,943

12Boston UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$106,292Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$24,402

13University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$104,073Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$28,699

14University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$103,721Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$32,740

15George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$100,692Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$17,915

16Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$100,325Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$28,690

17California State University, East BayHayward, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$99,879Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$9,320

18Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$99,846Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$41,544

19Portland State UniversityPortland, OR · PublicYear-4 earnings$99,801Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$9,552

20University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$99,141Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$41,431

21Bowie State UniversityBowie, MD · PublicYear-4 earnings$98,800Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$19,298

22Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$98,798Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$29,167

23California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$98,056Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$26,285

24Post UniversityWaterbury, CT · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$97,596Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$21,634

25University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$97,311Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,778

Open the full program search →

WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Harvard University$177,149 2Anna Maria College$123,207 3Golden Gate University$122,598 4Johns Hopkins University$122,517 5Calumet College of Saint Joseph$121,754 6Columbia University in the City of New York$115,874 7George Washington University$113,891 8New York University$109,946 9San Francisco State University$108,093 10Syracuse University$107,868

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Higher median wage ↑

-7%Projected employment growth →12%

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Managers, All Other$141,900 median wage622,190 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9199+4.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 100.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$74,300–$238,270 10th–90th percentileTransportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$107,230 median wage221,180 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-3071+6.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 18.3k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$65,120–$194,900 10th–90th percentileChief Executives$213,990 median wage204,350 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-1011+3.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 19.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$75,700–$507,730 10th–90th percentileConstruction Managers$114,990 median wage380,360 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9021+9.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 49.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$69,690–$189,440 10th–90th percentileGeneral and Operations Managers$105,770 median wage3,503,020 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-1021+5.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 285k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$50,090–$253,390 10th–90th percentilePostmasters and Mail Superintendents$96,660 median wage13,810 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9131-0.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$85,090–$111,740 10th–90th percentileUrban and Regional Planners$89,320 median wage44,230 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-3051+3.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 3.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Master's degree$60,010–$134,490 10th–90th percentileSocial and Community Service Managers$80,390 median wage209,330 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9151+7.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 18.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$53,150–$132,260 10th–90th percentileTraffic Technicians$59,090 median wage7,860 U.S. jobs · SOC 53-6041+4.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$39,090–$85,130 10th–90th percentileLegislatorsUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 11-1031

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

EXPLORE BY STATE

Where this degree has enough data to compare

State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.

CA22 programs$90,474 average earnings TX16 programs$74,820 average earnings NY14 programs$89,721 average earnings GA13 programs$64,329 average earnings NC11 programs$71,640 average earnings NJ10 programs$75,417 average earnings MA10 programs$98,715 average earnings FL10 programs$74,157 average earnings VA9 programs$76,751 average earnings OH9 programs$72,455 average earnings MI8 programs$69,802 average earnings IN8 programs$81,332 average earnings

BEST COLLEGES FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.

#	College	Location	Earnings, year 4	Federal debt	ROI status	Cost context
1	Harvard UniversityMaster's Degree	Cambridge, MA	$177,149	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,066
2	Anna Maria CollegeMaster's Degree	Paxton, MA	$123,207	Not available	Baseline needed	$28,333
3	Golden Gate UniversityMaster's Degree	San Francisco, CA	$122,598	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
4	Johns Hopkins UniversityMaster's Degree	Baltimore, MD	$122,517	Not available	Baseline needed	$18,809
5	Calumet College of Saint JosephMaster's Degree	Whiting, IN	$121,754	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,451
6	Columbia University in the City of New YorkMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$115,874	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,590
7	George Washington UniversityMaster's Degree	Washington, DC	$113,891	Not available	Baseline needed	$36,586
8	New York UniversityMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$109,946	Not available	Baseline needed	$37,050
9	San Francisco State UniversityMaster's Degree	San Francisco, CA	$108,093	Not available	Baseline needed	$12,278
10	Syracuse UniversityMaster's Degree	Syracuse, NY	$107,868	Not available	Baseline needed	$38,793
11	American UniversityMaster's Degree	Washington, DC	$107,866	Not available	Baseline needed	$41,943
12	Boston UniversityMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$106,292	Not available	Baseline needed	$24,402
13	University of PennsylvaniaMaster's Degree	Philadelphia, PA	$104,073	Not available	Baseline needed	$28,699
14	University of Southern CaliforniaMaster's Degree	Los Angeles, CA	$103,721	Not available	Baseline needed	$32,740
15	George Mason UniversityMaster's Degree	Fairfax, VA	$100,692	Not available	Baseline needed	$17,915
16	Cornell UniversityMaster's Degree	Ithaca, NY	$100,325	Not available	Baseline needed	$28,690
17	California State University, East BayMaster's Degree	Hayward, CA	$99,879	Not available	Baseline needed	$9,320
18	Marist UniversityMaster's Degree	Poughkeepsie, NY	$99,846	Not available	Baseline needed	$41,544
19	Portland State UniversityMaster's Degree	Portland, OR	$99,801	Not available	Baseline needed	$9,552
20	University of San FranciscoMaster's Degree	San Francisco, CA	$99,141	Not available	Baseline needed	$41,431
21	Bowie State UniversityMaster's Degree	Bowie, MD	$98,800	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,298
22	Northwestern UniversityMaster's Degree	Evanston, IL	$98,798	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,167
23	California Baptist UniversityMaster's Degree	Riverside, CA	$98,056	Not available	Baseline needed	$26,285
24	Post UniversityMaster's Degree	Waterbury, CT	$97,596	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,634
25	University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMaster's Degree	Minneapolis, MN	$97,311	Not available	Baseline needed	$16,778
26	Villanova UniversityMaster's Degree	Villanova, PA	$96,385	Not available	Baseline needed	$43,756
27	Alfred UniversityMaster's Degree	Alfred, NY	$94,571	Not available	Baseline needed	$25,620
28	University of BaltimoreMaster's Degree	Baltimore, MD	$94,518	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,868
29	Seattle UniversityMaster's Degree	Seattle, WA	$94,446	Not available	Baseline needed	$34,662
30	CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$93,751	Not available	Baseline needed	$3,033
31	Notre Dame de Namur UniversityMaster's Degree	Belmont, CA	$93,465	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
32	Hamline UniversityMaster's Degree	Saint Paul, MN	$93,090	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,744
33	California State University, NorthridgeMaster's Degree	Northridge, CA	$92,353	Not available	Baseline needed	$7,021
34	Clemson UniversityMaster's Degree	Clemson, SC	$92,184	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,253
35	Suffolk UniversityMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$92,015	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,618
36	University of Colorado Colorado SpringsMaster's Degree	Colorado Springs, CO	$91,668	Not available	Baseline needed	$15,788
37	University of Washington-Seattle CampusMaster's Degree	Seattle, WA	$91,499	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,091
38	San Diego State UniversityMaster's Degree	San Diego, CA	$91,303	Not available	Baseline needed	$15,364
39	Middlebury Institute of International Studies at MontereyMaster's Degree	Monterey, CA	$89,916	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
40	Middlebury CollegeMaster's Degree	Middlebury, VT	$89,916	Not available	Baseline needed	$31,483
41	California State University, Dominguez HillsMaster's Degree	Carson, CA	$89,849	Not available	Baseline needed	$8,615
42	National UniversityMaster's Degree	San Diego, CA	$88,988	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,878
43	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityMaster's Degree	Blacksburg, VA	$88,961	Not available	Baseline needed	$24,953
44	Northeastern UniversityMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$87,852	Not available	Baseline needed	$30,915
45	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMaster's Degree	Boston, MA	$87,852	Not available	Baseline needed	Not available
46	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgMaster's Degree	Middletown, PA	$87,710	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,330
47	Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusMaster's Degree	University Park, PA	$87,710	Not available	Baseline needed	$32,875
48	Pennsylvania State University-World CampusMaster's Degree	University Park, PA	$87,710	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,550
49	Kent State University at KentMaster's Degree	Kent, OH	$87,606	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,787
50	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusMaster's Degree	Teaneck, NJ	$87,309	Not available	Baseline needed	$15,404
51	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusMaster's Degree	Madison, NJ	$87,309	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,829
52	University of South DakotaMaster's Degree	Vermillion, SD	$87,275	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,858
53	University of DaytonMaster's Degree	Dayton, OH	$87,234	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,533
54	Brigham Young UniversityMaster's Degree	Provo, UT	$87,075	Not available	Baseline needed	$15,564
55	University of ConnecticutMaster's Degree	Storrs, CT	$86,879	Not available	Baseline needed	$25,097
56	University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusMaster's Degree	Waterbury, CT	$86,879	Not available	Baseline needed	$10,875
57	University of Connecticut-Avery PointMaster's Degree	Groton, CT	$86,879	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,807
58	University of Connecticut-StamfordMaster's Degree	Stamford, CT	$86,879	Not available	Baseline needed	$16,798
59	University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusMaster's Degree	Hartford, CT	$86,879	Not available	Baseline needed	$16,403
60	University of Rhode IslandMaster's Degree	Kingston, RI	$86,349	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,440
61	California State University, Long BeachMaster's Degree	Long Beach, CA	$86,271	Not available	Baseline needed	$10,440
62	DePaul UniversityMaster's Degree	Chicago, IL	$86,093	Not available	Baseline needed	$30,902
63	University of Wisconsin-OshkoshMaster's Degree	Oshkosh, WI	$85,641	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,305
64	California State University, FresnoMaster's Degree	Fresno, CA	$85,549	Not available	Baseline needed	$7,000
65	Indiana University-BloomingtonMaster's Degree	Bloomington, IN	$85,494	Not available	Baseline needed	$16,264
66	California State University, San BernardinoMaster's Degree	San Bernardino, CA	$85,338	Not available	Baseline needed	$4,564
67	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusMaster's Degree	Denver, CO	$85,272	Not available	Baseline needed	$11,900
68	Norwich UniversityMaster's Degree	Northfield, VT	$85,253	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,257
69	American Public University SystemMaster's Degree	Charles Town, WV	$85,238	Not available	Baseline needed	$9,597
70	California State University, BakersfieldMaster's Degree	Bakersfield, CA	$85,123	Not available	Baseline needed	$5,652
71	Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMaster's Degree	Fort Myers, FL	$85,052	Not available	Baseline needed	$12,568
72	Wayland Baptist UniversityMaster's Degree	Plainview, TX	$85,003	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,590
73	California State University, SacramentoMaster's Degree	Sacramento, CA	$84,962	Not available	Baseline needed	$9,338
74	University at AlbanyMaster's Degree	Albany, NY	$84,950	Not available	Baseline needed	$17,167
75	Texas Tech UniversityMaster's Degree	Lubbock, TX	$84,635	Not available	Baseline needed	$19,070
76	Carnegie Mellon UniversityMaster's Degree	Pittsburgh, PA	$84,419	Not available	Baseline needed	$31,944
77	University of Missouri-ColumbiaMaster's Degree	Columbia, MO	$84,412	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,268
78	University of the PacificMaster's Degree	Stockton, CA	$84,392	Not available	Baseline needed	$25,447
79	Old Dominion UniversityMaster's Degree	Norfolk, VA	$84,367	Not available	Baseline needed	$14,638
80	Indiana University-IndianapolisMaster's Degree	Indianapolis, IN	$84,078	Not available	Baseline needed	$11,668
81	University of New HavenMaster's Degree	West Haven, CT	$84,061	Not available	Baseline needed	$34,192
82	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$83,931	Not available	Baseline needed	$3,203
83	Georgia College & State UniversityMaster's Degree	Milledgeville, GA	$83,890	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,686
84	Drake UniversityMaster's Degree	Des Moines, IA	$83,764	Not available	Baseline needed	$29,127
85	Clark UniversityMaster's Degree	Worcester, MA	$83,740	Not available	Baseline needed	$28,714
86	Seton Hall UniversityMaster's Degree	South Orange, NJ	$83,480	Not available	Baseline needed	$31,446
87	Binghamton UniversityMaster's Degree	Vestal, NY	$83,478	Not available	Baseline needed	$21,620
88	The University of Texas at ArlingtonMaster's Degree	Arlington, TX	$83,344	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,951
89	Tarleton State UniversityMaster's Degree	Stephenville, TX	$83,252	Not available	Baseline needed	$20,783
90	Northern Illinois UniversityMaster's Degree	Dekalb, IL	$82,907	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,391
91	University of Nevada-Las VegasMaster's Degree	Las Vegas, NV	$82,864	Not available	Baseline needed	$10,359
92	University of GeorgiaMaster's Degree	Athens, GA	$82,476	Not available	Baseline needed	$13,936
93	University of OregonMaster's Degree	Eugene, OR	$82,135	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,182
94	University of KansasMaster's Degree	Lawrence, KS	$82,043	Not available	Baseline needed	$18,059
95	California State Polytechnic University-PomonaMaster's Degree	Pomona, CA	$81,998	Not available	Baseline needed	$11,531
96	University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMaster's Degree	Chapel Hill, NC	$81,915	Not available	Baseline needed	$11,655
97	CUNY City CollegeMaster's Degree	New York, NY	$81,813	Not available	Baseline needed	$3,776
98	Barry UniversityMaster's Degree	Miami, FL	$81,625	Not available	Baseline needed	$22,613
99	James Madison UniversityMaster's Degree	Harrisonburg, VA	$81,363	Not available	Baseline needed	$23,322
100	University of Illinois ChicagoMaster's Degree	Chicago, IL	$81,041	Not available	Baseline needed	$10,974

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.