Public Administration and Social Service Professions graduates earn $61,630 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 23.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Medical & Health Services Manager is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Public Administration and Social Service Professions is a focused area of study within Public Administration. Graduates typically earn around $61,630 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 93 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 553 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.
Public Administration and Social Service Professions graduates earn $61,630 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,503 and $84,356. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $44,593 climbs to $61,630 by year four.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
Near the national median for college graduates.
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
There is a wide earnings spread across Public Administration and Social Service Professions graduates. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $61,630 and an estimated $96,088 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.0 years.
Based on outcomes from 33 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Of the 553 students who complete Public Administration and Social Service Professions programs each year, the majority (43%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
Public Administration and Social Service Professions connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Chief Executives leads at $213,990/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Public Administration and Social Service Professions students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
| # | College | Graduates | Acceptance | Net Price/yr | Earnings 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA · Public | 56 | 41.8% | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| 2 | Metropolitan College of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit | 49 | 90% | $28,882 | $46,236 |
| 3 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR · Public | 44 | 58.8% | $17,248 | $45,265 |
| 4 | Rutgers University-Newark Newark, NJ · Public | 34 | 71.4% | $19,703 | $74,479 |
| 5 | National Louis University Chicago, IL · Nonprofit | 28 | 95.1% | $12,641 | $45,799 |
| 6 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public | 23 | 40.1% | $10,411 | $58,308 |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit | 20 | 9.8% | $32,740 | $92,498 |
| 8 | Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC · Nonprofit | 15 | 96% | $19,076 | $51,562 |
| 9 | Boston University Boston, MA · Nonprofit | 14 | 11.1% | $24,402 | $83,238 |
| 10 | Tufts University Medford, MA · Nonprofit | 14 | 11.5% | $39,998 | $83,214 |
| 11 | Ball State University Muncie, IN · Public | 11 | 85.5% | $14,940 | $51,833 |
| 12 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO · Public | 11 | 74.7% | $11,900 | $64,270 |
| 13 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA · Nonprofit | 11 | 14% | $39,949 | $63,268 |
| 14 | New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit | 10 | 9.2% | $37,050 | $82,509 |
| 15 | Merrimack College North Andover, MA · Nonprofit | 10 | 70% | $37,927 | $75,584 |
| 16 | Judson University Elgin, IL · Nonprofit | 9 | 47.6% | $18,558 | $56,313 |
| 17 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA · Public | 8 | 87.5% | $17,915 | $76,343 |
| 18 | Alabama State University Montgomery, AL · Public | 8 | 97.6% | $20,435 | $34,502 |
| 19 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA · Public | 7 | 58.1% | $30,434 | $66,125 |
| 20 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WI · Nonprofit | 7 | 81.3% | $31,487 | $78,257 |
Ranked by Public Administration and Social Service Professions graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →
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The data on Public Administration and Social Service Professions shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
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