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Public Administration at Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $47,013/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (528,800 openings/yr)

ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #8 of 45 Public Administration programs Top 25%

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	$680K	$662K	$591K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.4x	14.0x	12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.2x	4.1x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	49%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,160

Out-of-state: $161,928 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,368

-30% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$74,845

59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $47,013/yr, Public Administration graduates from Indiana University-Bloomington land near the $49,353 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 14.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Indiana University-Bloomington ranks #8 among 45 Public Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $47,013-to-$74,845 earnings arc over five years reflects a 59% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Indiana University-Bloomington

With 80% of applicants admitted, Indiana University-Bloomington prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 36,571 students in Bloomington, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-Bloomington →

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

Public Administration at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Administration at Indiana University-Bloomington?

At 72/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Public Administration at Indiana University-Bloomington?

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 Indiana University-Bloomington one of the best schools for Public Administration?

Among 45 Public Administration programs, Indiana University-Bloomington's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →