by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you seek a career that serves the public good, consider majoring in Public Administration and Social Service Professions. This major comes with a lot of responsibility, but also a great opportunity to implement positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.
The curriculum involves a hybrid of classes from the following coursework: Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Work, and Youth Services. You will learn topics such as drug and alcohol counseling, community development, psychology, leadership, financial management, and policy and development. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to analyze, manage, and deliver public programs and services for the greater good of the community. These programs can focus on youth, teens, and family services, healthcare, or mental illness.
A major in Other Public Administration covers Public Administration And Social Service Professions, Other. Continue reading for the essential details every other public administration major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other public administration programs.
Across the country, other public administration is a widely-pursued major, with 518 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Public Administration Schools ranking analyzes these 57 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other public administration students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other public administration programs later in this article.
There is a lot of work to be done in the field of public service. Not a lot of it is glamorous, but it can be a very rewarding career. A passion to serve the community will allow you to thrive in this field. You will work with diverse populations including many people who suffer from mental illness, abuse or personal hardship. Empathy, patience and kindness go a long way.
A solid understanding of government policies and knack for fundraising will help you succeed. More importantly, you will need to have great social skills. You must be able to build trust with your clients and communicate with a variety of professionals to help solve individual problems as well as develop public policy.
There are several other public administration degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 46 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 188 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 243 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 40 |
Those working in this field are committed to making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. Public Administration and Social Service professionals work in a variety of fields, ranging from child services to welfare administrators. No matter the job title, your main responsibility is to support citizens, while empowering them to help themselves. Careers can include government or non-profit work with the broad responsibility to implement government policy and encourage civil service. Job titles include: Non-profit manager, social worker, corrections officer, and policy analyst.
Federal data tracks median earnings of other public administration graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $53,469 |
| 4 years | $50,664 |
| 5 years | $61,466 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
With 57 different other public administration programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other public administration school rankings to help you.
Those considering other public administration, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 518 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 58,176 |
| Public Administration | 13,993 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS | 11,674 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 6,183 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 2,651 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
