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Public Administration at California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,969/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (528,800 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #32 of 45 Public Administration programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Administration graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $546K $541K $500K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.8x 17.6x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.9x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 49% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,700
Out-of-state: $78,220 (6.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$23,672
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,904
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,225
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $36,969/yr fall 25% below the $49,353 national median for Public Administration. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 17.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $12,904 in median debt against $36,969 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #32 ranking among 45 Public Administration programs places California State University-San Bernardino in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 47% earnings increase from $36,969 to $54,225 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-San Bernardino

California State University-San Bernardino has a 98% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 15,771 in San Bernardino, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 57% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Bernardino →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Construction managers $106,980/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 45 schools offering Public Administration →

Public Administration at Other Schools

Barry University ($103,107) National University ($77,077) California State University-Northridge ($76,049) University of Maryland Global Campus ($74,053) Southern New Hampshire University ($73,129) California Baptist University ($68,682) Ashford University ($65,503) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($61,790)

Other Majors at California State University-San Bernardino

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($93,142) Physics ($57,114) Computer Engineering ($49,043) Computer Science ($45,846) Human Resources Management and Services ($45,144) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($42,180) Finance and Financial Management Services ($41,467) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($40,817)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Public Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Administration at California State University-San Bernardino?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Public Administration is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Public Administration at California State University-San Bernardino?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-San Bernardino a good choice for Public Administration despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-San Bernardino's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →