Program Analysis
Graduates earn $43,632/yr, roughly in line with the $49,353 national median for Public Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
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 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $43,632 far exceeding the $18,648 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #24 ranking among 45 Public Administration programs places University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 28% earnings increase from $43,632 to $56,013 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.