Public Administration at Purdue University Fort Wayne

Purdue Fort Wayne's Public Administration program starts slow but makes up considerable ground—first-year earnings of $34,780 lag behind both Indiana's state median ($43,110) and the national benchmark ($45,278), but by year four, graduates reach $47,535. That 37% earnings jump suggests this program may appeal to students entering government or nonprofit roles with structured career ladders, where initial pay is modest but advancement comes predictably. Still, ranking in just the 25th percentile among Indiana's seven programs means three-quarters of comparable state options start graduates at higher salaries.

The $22,242 debt load is manageable and matches the Indiana median, making the first-year debt-to-earnings ratio (0.64) reasonable by community standards even if the initial salary disappoints. Within four years, that ratio improves significantly as earnings climb. However, parents should recognize this program ranks in only the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of public administration programs nationwide produce better first-year outcomes. For comparison, IU Bloomington places its public administration graduates at $47,013 from the start, essentially matching what Purdue Fort Wayne achieves after four years of career progression.

If your child is committed to public service and willing to accept lower starting pay for predictable advancement, the debt burden here won't be crushing. But if they're comparing Indiana options, both IU campuses offer stronger immediate earnings with similar debt levels.