Best Public Administration Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
9
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$102,202
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$27,826
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
National University
Grad rate: 44.0% |
+$670,731 | $85,093 | $37,116 | $31,603 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
California State University-Bakersfield
Grad rate: 49.5% |
+$180,920 | $54,809 | $18,815 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Ashford University
Grad rate: 9.3% |
+$142,748 | $58,095 | $30,866 | $41,250 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of La Verne
Grad rate: 64.4% |
+$141,904 | $63,388 | $61,564 | $29,333 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
California State University-Fullerton
Grad rate: 69.3% |
+$77,073 | $50,103 | $16,767 | $13,273 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
California State University-Chico
Grad rate: 63.9% |
+$25,180 | $48,377 | $25,590 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Grad rate: 46.7% |
-$60,358 | $43,352 | $15,449 | $18,965 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
California State University-San Bernardino
Grad rate: 54.5% |
-$73,075 | $42,626 | $16,910 | $13,300 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
San Diego State University
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$185,298 | $39,219 | $27,357 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Public Administration Degrees by State
Browse Public Administration programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.