Compare 8 Public Finance. programs in California. Average earnings: $79,575.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Finance tells a different story. Across 8 programs, earnings range from $46,321 to $106,444—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Santa Clara University's Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $106,444, well above the $79,575 average. University of San Francisco follows at $98,950, while Loyola Marymount reaches $90,660—demonstrating that specialized Catholic universities dominate this field in California.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Santa Clara graduates borrow $19,162 and face just a 3.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Cal State Northridge leads with a 10.6% family burden despite lower earnings, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $106,444
Strong outcomes ($98,950) with 51% acceptance
3.1% payment burden | Excellent
10.6% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $106,444 | 149 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Manageable |
| #2 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $98,950 | 111 | $23,000 | Excellent | $44,413 | Manageable |
| #3 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $90,660 | 105 | $19,500 | Excellent | $58,361 | Manageable |
| #4 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $88,295 | 231 | $22,940 | Excellent | $56,559 | Challenging |
| #5 | $87,870 | 27 | $22,990 | Excellent | $38,376 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $60,743 | 402 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Good | |
| #7 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $57,318 | 13 | $23,510 | Good | $41,309 | High |
| #8 | Menlo CollegePrivate | $46,321 | 24 | $21,750 | Manageable | $36,347 | 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 →
