Public Administration at California Baptist University

California Baptist University's Public Administration graduates earn $68,682 in their first year—about 24% more than the California median and an impressive 52% above the national average for the program. That's solidly competitive with top California programs, though the 60th percentile ranking in-state suggests there's meaningful variation among California schools. The debt load of $39,244 is higher than typical for public administration programs (which nationally average $23,626), but the strong starting salary keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.57. This means graduates can expect to owe about seven months' salary—well within sustainable territory.

The caveat here matters: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift considerably with a larger sample. That said, if these earnings hold, the program delivers real value for a private Christian university where 41% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting accessibility alongside outcomes.

For parents weighing this option, the key question is whether the $10,000-plus debt premium over the state average is worth it for your family's particular circumstances. The earnings suggest graduates can handle the payment, and CBU's 74% admission rate makes it an accessible path to above-average public administration outcomes. Just recognize you're making this decision with limited data points.