WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+20% vs national median78 grads tracked

Public Administration and Social Service Professions at University of Colorado Denver

Ranked 4th of 33 doctoral (research) programs in Public Administration and Social Service Professions by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$91,338
middle 50%: $74,729 – $134,767
Median · 5 years out
$120,903
middle 50%: $99,793 – $163,027
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Public Administration and Social Service Professions (doctoral (research)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of Colorado Denver's doctoral (research) program in Public Administration and Social Service Professions earn a median $91,338 one year after graduating, rising to $120,903 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 20% above the national median of $100,394 for this field, ranking 4th of 33 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
3.4 yrs
≈ $3,599 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at University of Colorado Denver

Related fields of study