Bachelor's+1% vs national median1,028 grads tracked
Public Administration and Social Service Professions at Western Carolina University
Ranked 98th of 247 bachelor's programs in Public Administration and Social Service Professions by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$41,252
middle 50%: $29,421 – $56,990
Median · 5 years out
$53,843
middle 50%: $42,636 – $68,923
Median · 10 years out
$58,363
middle 50%: $44,989 – $75,127
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Public Administration and Social Service Professions (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Public Administration bachelor's graduates earn $41k in year one. Median salaries reach $54k after five years.
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
7.8 yrs
≈ $8,753 total interest
Same major at other universities
Ohio State University (The)
$54,577 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$54,532 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$54,282 · 5 yrs out
Lamar University
$54,097 · 5 yrs out
Aurora University
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Saint Olaf College
$53,767 · 5 yrs out
Virginia State University
$53,677 · 5 yrs out
Valparaiso University
$53,647 · 5 yrs out
Concordia College - Moorhead
$53,615 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$53,503 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$53,430 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out