Public Administration at University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus delivers surprisingly strong early earnings for Public Administration graduates—$74,053 puts this program in the 95th percentile nationally, nearly 64% above the typical bachelor's in this field. However, Maryland context matters here: with only two schools offering this program in-state, you're essentially looking at the state median. The debt load of $29,202 is relatively modest, resulting in a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow graduates to pay down loans comfortably while building their careers.

The premium pricing story here is that you're paying slightly above the national median debt ($5,576 more) but getting substantially above-median earnings in return. For a field that often struggles with lower starting salaries, breaking into the mid-$70s immediately after graduation represents a meaningful advantage. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes rather than a statistical fluke.

For parents weighing this option, the math works: graduates earn enough in their first year to cover their total debt roughly 2.5 times over. That's strong positioning for a public administration degree, which typically serves students headed into government or nonprofit work where career stability often matters more than explosive salary growth. If your child is committed to public service careers, this program delivers the professional credibility without the debt burden that could make public sector salaries feel constraining.