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Public Administration at University of Oregon

Eugene, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,365/yr (-20% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 9.3x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #35 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	$593K	$583K	$532K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.5x	9.3x	8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.4x	3.4x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	49%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	59	58	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)

$62,676

Out-of-state: $173,208 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$87,128

-39% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,795

4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,025

55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $39,365/yr fall 20% below the $49,353 national median for Public Administration. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At $15,795 in median debt against $39,365 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #35 of 45 Public Administration programs, University of Oregon falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $61,025 show a 55% jump from the $39,365 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Oregon

University of Oregon has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 19,758 students in Eugene, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Oregon →

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

Other Majors at University of Oregon

Consider the Trade Route?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Administration at University of Oregon?

This program scores 58/100 — 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 $531,646 in decade earnings vs $592,711 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Public Administration from University of Oregon?

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 →