WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+8% vs national median418 grads tracked

Public Administration at Western Carolina University

Ranked 5th of 44 bachelor's programs in Public Administration by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$63,029
middle 50%: $45,413 – $85,137
Median · 5 years out
$77,241
middle 50%: $57,796 – $99,951
Median · 10 years out
$86,717
middle 50%: $63,681 – $112,375

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Public Administration (bachelor's) graduates.

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

Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Public Administration earn a median $63,029 one year after graduating, rising to $86,717 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% above the national median of $71,321 for this field, ranking 5th of 44 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
5.1 yrs
≈ $5,503 total interest

Same major at other universities

West Texas A&M University
$116,793 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University - Global Campus
$87,508 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Clear Lake
$85,664 · 5 yrs out
George Mason University
$79,622 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$76,958 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Dallas
$73,811 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$73,171 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$72,361 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College
$71,321 · 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

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