What can you do with a Public Administration degree from Northern Arizona University?

First, some facts. Of the Public Administration graduates from Northern Arizona University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 44%, Public Administration graduates from Northern Arizona University have a substantially lower likelihood (-23%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 44%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 25% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Public Administration graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Public Administration graduate from Northern Arizona University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 47%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors in Business Administration in Public Administration. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Insurance Processor
Brown and Brown Insurance of Arizona
Jun 2019 - Sep 2019
The position of Insurance Processor does not require knowledge or skills related to Public Administration, as it primarily involves administrative tasks specific to the insurance industry.

Operations Service Associate / Clearance Representative I
Chubb
Oct 2019 - Present
As an Operations Service Associate at Chubb, some skills from Public Administration, such as understanding organizational processes, may be useful, but the core qualifications of the job do not directly align with the degree.

ABOUT

Has worked as an Administrative assistant in a Real Estate office, an Event planning/ Association management company, a company that dispensed medications in-house, and as an executive/legal assistant at an Estate Planning company. Previously employed with Brown and Brown Insurance as a Processor. Currently a Processor with Clearance for Chubb Insurance.

What jobs can you get with a Public Administration degree from Northern Arizona University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Looking at the job profiles of people who graduated with a degree in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University, it's clear that many have ended up in roles that don't directly leverage their education. Most common positions include a mix of administrative roles, customer service, and management jobs across various industries, like insurance and education. While some roles, like Assessment and Program Review Specialist or Aquatics Director at the YMCA, show a strong connection to public administration principles, many others, such as Intake Quality Specialist or Account Executive, could be done without any specific knowledge from that field. This suggests that while a degree in Public Administration did prepare graduates with valuable skills, the direct application of those skills in their jobs isn't guaranteed.

Overall, it seems like a lot of the jobs secured by these graduates veer off into areas that are only somewhat related or completely unrelated to public administration. Positions requiring strong management, organizational skills, or an understanding of public policies are few and far between. Many are stuck in roles that focus on customer service or sales, which could be handled by anyone with a general education rather than a specialized degree in Public Administration. So, while there are certainly some graduates making use of their degree-related skills, it’s a mixed bag overall regarding job relevance to their studies.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Administration graduates (this is across all Public Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Arizona University):

What kind of career trajectories do Public Administration graduates from Northern Arizona University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Public Administration, there’s quite a mix of outcomes. For many, the first job after graduation seems to be a stepping stone into various fields related to public service and administration, but some end up veering off into unrelated areas like sales and customer service. For instance, the early 2010s graduates often started with positions like Intake Quality Specialist, which taps into the administrative focus of their degree, while others took quick turns into roles that span hospitality, insurance, and claims management.

Fast forward a few years—many graduates appear to find themselves in more specialized roles, especially those who stayed connected to public administration or governmental organizations. For example, those who graduated in 2017 gravitated toward roles like Program Accountant and Budget Administrator, clearly aligning with their educational background. However, there’s also a notable trend of graduates shifting out of public administration and into the private sector, evidenced by roles at State Farm and Yelp. By the five to ten-year mark, while some have firmly established themselves in relevant careers, it’s clear that others have found success in diverse pathways, sometimes straying from their original field of study. So, in summary, while some graduates do find meaningful roles in public administration, others explore quite different avenues, which shows that a degree in this field can open a variety of doors—not all of which lead directly back to public service.

How hard is a Public Administration degree from Northern Arizona University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration at Northern Arizona University is generally considered to be on the more manageable side when it comes to college courses. It’s not so much about cramming for exams or dissecting complicated theories, but rather focusing on understanding policies, governance, and community needs. You’ll likely have a mix of lectures, group projects, and discussions that make the learning experience pretty engaging. If you have an interest in social issues and enjoy working with others, you might find it pretty rewarding and easier to navigate than some other degrees that can be more math-heavy or tech-focused. Just stay organized, keep up with your readings, and you'll likely do just fine!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 1 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Administration.

Do Public Administration graduates from Northern Arizona University tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates from Northern Arizona University, it's a mixed bag when it comes to their earning potential. Some of them have landed solid jobs, particularly those who moved up the ranks at places like State Farm or the Gila River Indian Community, suggesting they may be making decent money, especially in more senior roles. However, others seem to have taken on roles that might not offer the best financial stability, like entry-level positions or jobs in the service industry. The recent graduates are still figuring things out, with some in roles that seem more like stepping stones rather than solid careers just yet. Overall, while a few are likely doing well, others might still be working their way up and not making a ton at this point.

What buzzwords do Public Administration graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Public Administration (this is across all Public Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Arizona University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Public Administration?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Public Administration (ordered by the average relevance score of their Public Administration graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
San Diego State University 63 10
Florida International University 62 13
University of Central Florida 61 15
Northern Arizona University 44 12