by our College Data Analytics TeamWhile in school, you were the treasurer of student council, editor of the school's newspaper, or class president; always acting as a catalyst for change. So, what's next for you? A Public Administration degree will prepare you for running the executive arm of local, state, and federal government - allowing you to create policies that will bring positive change.
Business principles as well as politics are important in a Public Administration program. Classroom lectures will infuse business lessons into public administration curriculum, with instruction focusing on: the management of public policy, public budgetary processes and financial management, public personnel management, professional ethics, administrative law, and research methods. Your program may even offer the option to specialize in urban studies, criminal justice, or public opinion.
A major in Public Administration explores Public Administration. Continue reading for the essential details every public administration student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering public administration programs.
Nationwide, public administration is a popular field of study, with 13,993 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Public Administration Schools ranking analyzes these 429 schools to determine the best overall colleges for public administration students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of public administration programs later in this article.
Studies in Public Administration emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations public administration graduates commonly enter.
Students in this program should have a passion for creating positive change for communities. Communication, teamwork, and policy development skills are crucial to creating change in the public sector. Public administrators often have to find common ground for a diverse group that are on opposite sides of an issue, so the ability to see all sides of an issue is also extremely helpful.
No matter what type of job you take in public administration, you will be expected to have a good understanding of the government and a knack for business. Analytical and research skills will be invaluable as you move forward with your career in public administration. Problem solving will become your specialty, as you discuss ways to fix society's most urgent issues.
The skill set emphasized by a public administration program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a public administration major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several 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 | 27 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 88 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,130 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11,403 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 344 |
People currently working in careers related to public administration tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 48.4% |
| Master’s degree | 15.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.4% |
| Some college courses | 5.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in public administration careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A career in public administration encompasses a wide range of interests in federal, state, and local government, advocacy groups, and non-profit organizations. Graduates find jobs as administrative officers of a municipality, policy analysts, city or county managers, safety inspectors, criminal or private investigators, custom or border guard inspectors, and labor management relations specialists. At the government level, you can work for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
A degree in public administration prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to public administration.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to public administration.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Technicians | 767,409 | 9.7% |
| Construction Managers | 496,716 | -0.3% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Chief Sustainability Officers | 440,982 | 0.5% |
| Supply Chain Managers | 421,849 | 12.7% |
| Chief Executives | 374,558 | -2.8% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of public administration graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,712 |
| 4 years | $65,901 |
| 5 years | $73,920 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for public administration graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers public administration grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Legislators | $167,600 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $156,089 |
| General and Operations Managers | $149,694 |
| Chief Executives | $138,534 |
| Supply Chain Managers | $138,103 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
With 429 different public administration programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased public administration school rankings to help you.
Those considering public administration, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 13,898 |
| Public Administration, Other | 53 |
| Public Works Management | 24 |
| Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies | 18 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 58,176 |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS | 11,674 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 6,183 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 2,651 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 518 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
