WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+12% vs national median366 grads tracked

Public Administration at George Mason University

Ranked 4th of 44 bachelor's programs in Public Administration by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$50,227
middle 50%: $36,368 – $62,122
Median · 5 years out
$79,622
middle 50%: $60,590 – $99,513
Median · 10 years out
$107,201
middle 50%: $75,786 – $142,174

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 George Mason University's bachelor's program in Public Administration earn a median $50,227 one year after graduating, rising to $107,201 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 12% above the national median of $71,321 for this field, ranking 4th 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
5.5 yrs
≈ $6,299 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
Western Carolina University
$77,241 · 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

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
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$130,148 · 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

Related fields of study

Community Organization and Advocacy
Compare universities
Human Services, General
Compare universities
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Compare universities
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
Compare universities
Public Policy Analysis
Compare universities
Social Work
Compare universities