Public Administration at University of Pennsylvania
Master's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How University of Pennsylvania graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $83k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all public administration masters programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Public Administration masters's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (13 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | $83,208 | $91,879 | — | — |
| Villanova University | $72,577 | $78,297 | — | — |
| Carnegie Mellon University | $66,915 | $76,739 | — | — |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | $52,644 | — | — | — |
| Strayer University-Pennsylvania | $49,512 | $55,281 | — | — |
| National Median | $58,582 | — | — | — |
Other Public Administration Programs in Pennsylvania
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Pennsylvania schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villanova University Villanova | $64,701 | $72,577 | — |
| Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh | $63,829 | $66,915 | — |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg | $13,544 | $52,644 | — |
| Strayer University-Pennsylvania Trevose | $13,920 | $49,512 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Pennsylvania, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.