Public Administration at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

The estimated $21,000 in debt for this degree falls below both state and national medians for public administration programs, which puts graduates in a relatively manageable position. Comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $45,000, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46—meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. However, the actual four-year earnings figure of $41,929 reveals something concerning: salaries appear to decline rather than grow in the years after graduation, dropping below what similar programs typically achieve in year one.

This earnings dip might reflect the realities of public sector employment, where government positions often start modestly and include benefits that raw salary figures don't capture. Still, when peer programs in Wisconsin like UW-Whitewater and UW-La Crosse report first-year outcomes around $44,000, the four-year figure here raises questions about career trajectory. The moderate debt load offers some cushion—graduates won't be overwhelmed by payments—but the stagnant or declining earnings pattern suggests limited financial momentum in the years following graduation. If your child is drawn to public service work, the debt burden won't be crushing, but expect a slow build in earning power rather than the typical post-graduation salary growth.