Public Administration at Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa University's Public Administration program shows surprisingly strong outcomes, though the limited sample size means these results might not be typical. Graduates earn a median of $61,104 right out of school—substantially above the national median of $45,278 and even exceeding the 75th percentile nationally. Within Iowa, this ranks in the 60th percentile, outpacing the state median by more than $11,000. Notably, it significantly outperforms the larger University of Northern Iowa program, where graduates earn around $39,000.

The debt picture here is genuinely impressive: $31,000 sits well below national norms and creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.51, meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's a manageable position for a public sector career where benefits often compensate for slower salary growth.

The major caveat is sample size—with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. But if you're considering Upper Iowa anyway, this program appears to deliver solid value. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings creates real breathing room for graduates entering public sector work, which typically doesn't offer the highest starting salaries but provides stability and growth over time.