Public Administration at University of La Verne

Based on similar public administration programs in California, University of La Verne graduates can expect first-year earnings around $55,000—right at the state median but substantially above the $45,000 national benchmark. The $29,333 in typical debt sits at California's median as well, translating to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53. What this suggests practically: your child would owe about half their first year's salary, a workable burden compared to many bachelor's programs. By year four, when earnings reach $63,000, that debt becomes even more manageable.

The challenge is that La Verne's outcomes fall well behind the state's top performers—National University and Cal State Northridge graduates earn in the mid-$70,000s, potentially justifying similar debt loads with faster payoff timelines. These aren't minor differences; they represent $10,000-$20,000 gaps annually that compound over a career. Given La Verne's 48% admission rate and moderate selectivity, it's recruiting similar students to some of these stronger-performing programs.

The reality check: because these are estimated figures derived from peer programs rather than La Verne's actual graduate outcomes, you're working with educated guesses about what this specific degree delivers. The four-year earnings of $63,000 are reported data, which at least confirms the trajectory moves upward. If your child is committed to public administration and La Verne offers strong location advantages or connections in Southern California government, the debt burden is reasonable enough to proceed—just recognize better-performing alternatives exist in-state.