Compare 17 Public Administration. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $49,038.
Public Administration programs produce graduates earning between $30,173 and $62,367—a $32K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 17 ranked programs in the Midwest, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Indiana University-Bloomington's Public Administration program leads with graduates earning $62,367, nearly double the field's lower end. Upper Iowa University follows at $61,516, proving that smaller institutions can compete with major state universities. The $49,038 average shows significant variation within the region.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Indiana University-Bloomington graduates borrow $19,509 and face just a 6.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Upper Iowa offers competitive outcomes at $61,516 with manageable 14.5% family debt burden, proving affordable paths exist.
Highest program earnings: $62,367
Strong outcomes ($61,516) with 93% acceptance
6.7% payment burden | Excellent
14.5% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $62,367 | 593 | $19,509 | Excellent | $32,850 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Upper Iowa UniversityPrivate | $61,516 | 28 | $25,000 | Good | $14,000 | Manageable |
| #3 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $56,949 | 22 | $23,000 | Good | $34,512 | High |
| #4 | University Of KansasPublic | $55,797 | 21 | $21,000 | Good | $32,347 | Challenging |
| #5 | $55,092 | 93 | $19,976 | Good | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $54,579 | 16 | $23,188 | Good | $18,635 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $52,546 | 90 | $20,000 | Good | $17,205 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $51,393 | 11 | $19,691 | Good | $17,670 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $47,804 | 24 | $22,500 | Manageable | $16,958 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $47,535 | 45 | $21,500 | Good | $12,362 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $47,479 | 14 | $21,797 | Good | $16,998 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $46,301 | 20 | $27,000 | Manageable | $23,103 | High | |
| #13 | $45,024 | 16 | $25,000 | Manageable | $16,878 | High | |
| #14 | $42,633 | 63 | $24,500 | Manageable | $26,392 | High | |
| #15 | $41,929 | 19 | $18,500 | Manageable | $13,480 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $34,526 | 7 | $16,961 | Challenging | $11,210 | High | |
| #17 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $30,173 | 24 | $21,250 | High | $16,378 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
