Public Administration at Miami University-Oxford

Miami University-Oxford's Public Administration program produces outcomes that sit right at the national median for starting salaries ($45,278), but the trajectory stands out: graduates see earnings jump 26% to $56,949 within four years, pushing them near the 75th percentile nationally by that point. Among Ohio's 13 public administration programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings—notably ahead of Ohio State's program, which starts graduates at $41,650. The debt load of $25,731 translates to a manageable 0.57 ratio against first-year earnings.

The strong earnings progression suggests these graduates land roles with clear advancement potential, whether in government agencies, nonprofits, or policy organizations. That said, the sample size is small (under 30 graduates), so individual career choices can swing these numbers significantly year to year. The relatively low Pell grant enrollment (11%) might also indicate a student body with additional family resources to smooth the early-career earning years.

For families comparing Ohio options, this represents a solid mid-tier choice—you're paying slightly more in debt than the state median but getting better outcomes than most in-state alternatives. The key question is whether your student wants public sector work specifically, since these earnings, while growing nicely, won't match business or tech programs at the same school.