WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+37% vs national median125 grads tracked

Public Administration and Social Service Professions at University of Michigan

Ranked 2nd of 33 doctoral (research) programs in Public Administration and Social Service Professions by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$110,405
middle 50%: $75,158 – $153,977
Median · 5 years out
$137,588
middle 50%: $105,599 – $172,318
Median · 10 years out
$155,800
middle 50%: $114,494 – $213,404

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 Michigan's doctoral (research) program in Public Administration and Social Service Professions earn a median $110,405 one year after graduating, rising to $155,800 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 37% above the national median of $100,394 for this field, ranking 2nd 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
2.8 yrs
≈ $2,987 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
$156,052 · 5 yrs out
George Mason University
$130,148 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Denver
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Dallas
$114,273 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$110,405 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$109,693 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Michigan

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$240,526 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$193,286 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$162,338 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,020 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$148,552 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$144,865 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$139,695 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$137,498 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$137,470 · 5 yrs out
Systems Science and Theory (Certificate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out

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