Compare 11 Public Administration. programs in the West. Average earnings: $56,894.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Administration tells a different story. Across 11 programs in the West, earnings range from $46,124 to $76,049—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
California State University-Northridge's Public Administration program leads with graduates earning $76,049, well above the regional average of $56,894. The data challenges assumptions—this CSU campus outperforms private competitors while maintaining a 93% acceptance rate, proving accessible programs can deliver top outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cal State Northridge graduates borrow $13,872 and face just a 3.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income while delivering the region's strongest earnings.
Highest program earnings: $76,049
Strong outcomes with 93% acceptance
3.6% payment burden | Excellent
7.5% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $76,049 | 41 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Excellent | |
| #2 | $69,338 | 17 | $26,063 | Excellent | $31,387 | Challenging | |
| #3 | University Of La VernePrivate | $63,388 | 25 | $23,500 | Excellent | $27,977 | Challenging |
| #4 | $58,104 | 42 | $13,807 | Excellent | $11,061 | Good | |
| #5 | $57,169 | 40 | $13,750 | Excellent | $16,538 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $54,809 | 8 | $16,600 | Excellent | $9,000 | Good | |
| #7 | University Of OregonPublic | $53,335 | 54 | $20,139 | Good | $44,405 | High |
| #8 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $51,630 | 49 | $19,620 | Good | $30,126 | High |
| #9 | $48,377 | 13 | $16,552 | Good | $17,585 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $47,513 | 98 | $15,000 | Good | $25,565 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $46,124 | 128 | $14,500 | Good | $13,507 | Manageable |
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 →
