Public Administration at Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University's Public Administration program produces graduates earning $73,129 in their first year—61% above the national median for this degree and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. That's exceptional performance for a program at a school with a 96% admission rate, though the 60th percentile state ranking suggests New Hampshire simply pays public administration graduates well across the board. With only two schools offering this program in New Hampshire, the competitive landscape is limited.

The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $31,139, graduates carry just 43 cents of debt for every dollar of first-year earnings—well below the concerning threshold and in the 9th percentile nationally for debt burden. For families concerned about loan repayment, these graduates would need to allocate roughly one-third of their first-year salary to clear their debt entirely, leaving substantial breathing room for other financial goals.

The premium price tag compared to typical public administration programs appears justified by the earnings outcome. While moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual results will vary, the combination of top-tier national earnings with manageable debt makes this a financially solid choice for students committed to public sector careers who can access SNHU's educational model.