[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/) # Best Public Administration Programs in California (2026) Updated September 30, 2026 This page ranks the 7 Public Administration programs in California by median earnings of Public Administration graduates four years after completing, highest first. [California State University-Northridge](/school/california-state-university-northridge/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $85,789 four years after completing. Across the listed schools, the figures range from $85,789 to $54,714, with a median of $68,008. For 1 of the 7 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. Public institutions account for 5 of the 7 schools, alongside 2 private nonprofit programs. [California State University-Fullerton](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/majors/) ranks 6th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and also posts the lowest average net price on the page at $6,555. California State University-Northridge reports the highest admission rate, admitting 93% of applicants. ## The ranked list 7 schools in list order | Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $85,789 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% | | | [California State University-Northridge](/school/california-state-university-northridge/majors/) reports [median earnings of $85,789](/school/california-state-university-northridge/outcomes/) for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list. | | 2 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | $75,949 | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% | | | A private nonprofit university in Riverside, [California Baptist University](/school/california-baptist-university/majors/) shows an [average net price of $26,285](/school/california-baptist-university/cost/) and median earnings of $75,949 for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | | 3 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $68,497 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% | | | [California State University-Fullerton](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/majors/) carries the lowest average net price on the page at $6,555 and its Public Administration graduates earn a [median of $68,497](/school/california-state-university-fullerton/outcomes/) four years after completing. | | 4 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $68,008 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% | | | With a cohort of 38 graduates, [California State University-Dominguez Hills](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/majors/) posts [median earnings of $68,008](/school/california-state-university-dominguez-hills/outcomes/) for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | | 5 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | $60,094 | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% | | | [University of La Verne](/school/university-of-la-verne/majors/) [admits 71% of applicants](/school/university-of-la-verne/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $60,094 for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | | 6 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $57,264 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% | | | [San Diego State University](/school/san-diego-state-university/majors/) is the most selective school on the list, admitting 36% of applicants, and its Public Administration graduates earn a [median of $57,264](/school/san-diego-state-university/outcomes/) four years after completing. | | 7 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $54,714 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% | | | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left [California State University-Chico](/school/california-state-university-chico/majors/) with a [median of $16,552](/school/california-state-university-chico/outcomes/) in federal loans, and its Public Administration completers earn a median of $54,714 four years after completing. | ## How this list is ordered Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Public Administration graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in California appear. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled. For 1 of the 7 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between California State University-Northridge and California Baptist University is $9,840, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom reaches $31,075. ## Related rankings - [Public Administration Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-public-administration-programs/) - [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/) - Public Administration Programs in Florida - Public Administration Colleges in California for Social Mobility - Public Administration Colleges in California - Social Work Colleges in California for Social Mobility - [Best Social Work Colleges in California](/rankings/best-social-work-colleges-in-california/)