Public Administration at California State University-Northridge

Cal State Northridge's Public Administration graduates earn $76,049 their first year—nearly $21,000 above California's median for the program and 68% more than the national average. Among California's 14 public administration programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, essentially tying with National University for top earnings in the state. For a school with a 93% admission rate serving majority first-generation students, these outcomes are exceptional.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $37,500, graduates carry about $8,000 more than the California median, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 remains manageable given the strong starting salary. Borrowers would need roughly half a year's salary to cover their debt—well below concerning thresholds. The combination of accessible admissions and outcomes that rival or exceed selective private universities is rare.

The catch is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates reported, one or two outliers could significantly skew these numbers. A few graduates landing exceptional government or nonprofit positions could artificially inflate the median. However, the earnings advantage is so substantial—$20,000+ above state norms—that even accounting for statistical noise, this program likely delivers strong returns. For California families seeking an affordable path to public sector careers, CSUN merits serious consideration, though prospective students should verify current program quality and placement rates given the limited data.