Public Administration at Florida International University

Florida International University's Public Administration program sits squarely in the middle of the pack—ranking in the 60th percentile among Florida's dozen offerings—but that positioning tells only part of the story. Graduates earn $46,281 in their first year, slightly above both the state median ($46,047) and national average ($45,278). More encouraging is the manageable debt load of $27,022, which is lower than 66% of similar programs nationwide. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, most graduates should be able to handle their loan payments on a public sector salary.

The main concern is anemic earnings growth: just 4% over four years suggests graduates quickly hit a ceiling in their careers. While public administration roles often come with strong benefits and job security that don't show up in wage data, the flat trajectory is worth noting—especially when top performers like Barry University demonstrate what's possible in this field ($103,107, though likely serving a different market niche). FIU's program serves a heavily Pell-eligible population (40%) and delivers solid access to public sector careers without crushing debt. For a student committed to government or nonprofit work in South Florida, this represents a reasonable if unspectacular path forward.