Compare 14 Public Administration. programs in the South. Average earnings: $53,743.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Administration tells a different story. Across 14 programs in the South, earnings range from $43,594 to $73,471—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
West Texas A&M University's Public Administration program leads with graduates earning $73,471, nearly $20K above the regional average of $53,743. George Mason follows at $69,760, while Barry University rounds out the top three at $65,899—demonstrating that program outcomes vary independently of institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. West Texas A&M graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 5.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, students can clear their loans with about three months of salary while keeping payments minimal.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $73,471 | 6 | $19,500 | Excellent | $12,719 | Good | |
| #2 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $69,760 | 23 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Manageable |
| #3 | Barry UniversityPrivate | $65,899 | 48 | $26,997 | Good | $14,569 | Manageable |
| #4 | $58,649 | 45 | $21,868 | Good | $18,241 | Manageable | |
| #5 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $54,888 | 59 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #6 | $53,902 | 47 | $17,236 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $51,826 | 10 | $21,000 | Good | $43,605 | High |
| #8 | $48,198 | 65 | $18,190 | Good | $16,036 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $48,152 | 39 | $21,000 | Good | $22,500 | High |
| #10 | $47,995 | 113 | $16,500 | Good | $13,610 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $46,536 | 25 | $18,000 | Good | $21,495 | Challenging | |
| #12 | Flagler CollegePrivate | $45,251 | 41 | $24,250 | Manageable | $29,390 | High |
| #13 | $44,275 | 8 | $29,000 | Challenging | $19,929 | High | |
| #14 | $43,594 | 53 | $20,500 | Manageable | $13,859 | Challenging |
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 →
