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Public Administration at Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,780/yr (-30% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #41 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	$542K	$537K	$497K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.6x	14.5x	13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.1x	6.0x	5.6x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	49%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	56	55	56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,016

Out-of-state: $88,880 (6.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,052

-24% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,375

7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$52,883

52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Purdue University Fort Wayne's Public Administration graduates start at $34,780/yr, trailing the $49,353 national average by 30%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Administration programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Administration's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,375 represents roughly 7 months of the $34,780 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #41 of 45 Public Administration programs, Purdue University Fort Wayne falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $52,883 show a 52% jump from the $34,780 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Purdue University Fort Wayne

A 86% acceptance rate means Purdue University Fort Wayne is accessible to most applicants, serving 5,450 students in Fort Wayne, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University Fort Wayne →

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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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Administration at Purdue University Fort Wayne?

This program scores 55/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Public Administration programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Public Administration careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $497,174 in decade earnings vs $541,610 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Public Administration from Purdue University Fort Wayne?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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