WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+30% vs national median105 grads tracked

Public Administration and Social Service Professions at George Mason University

Ranked 3rd of 33 doctoral (research) programs in Public Administration and Social Service Professions by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$105,955
middle 50%: $75,281 – $154,876
Median · 5 years out
$130,148
middle 50%: $103,556 – $172,156
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 George Mason University's doctoral (research) program in Public Administration and Social Service Professions earn a median $105,955 one year after graduating, rising to $130,148 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 30% above the national median of $100,394 for this field, ranking 3rd 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 yrs
≈ $3,127 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
$156,052 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$137,588 · 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
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$106,181 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at George Mason University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$183,592 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$158,478 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,304 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$137,848 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$137,668 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out
Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Doctorate)
$127,509 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,951 · 5 yrs out
Natural Resources and Conservation (Doctorate)
$122,445 · 5 yrs out
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Master's)
$121,298 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$118,362 · 5 yrs out

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