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First, some facts. Of the Public Administration graduates from San Diego State 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Public Administration graduates from San Diego State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 30% 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:
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Relevance score: 96% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor in Applied Arts and Sciences in Public Administration. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCustomer Service Representative Payless Auto Insurance Feb 2018 - May 2018 Economic Development Intern  City of Menifee Jun 2018 - Aug 2018 Intern South County Economic Development Council Aug 2018 - Dec 2018 Economic Development Intern City of Menifee Apr 2019 - Aug 2019 Management Aide City of Menifee Aug 2019 - Jul 2022 City Center Business Improvement District Manager Downtown San Diego Partnership Jul 2022 - Present Director of Business Engagement Downtown San Diego Partnership Jul 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the jobs held by graduates of Public Administration at San Diego State University, it seems that many have ventured into fields like human resources, project management, and administrative roles. A good number of these positions, like HR Managers or Project Managers, utilize relevant skills from their studies, focusing on governance, policy application, and resource allocation. Graduates often find themselves working in environments where understanding public policy and effective administration is crucial, which shows that some certainly apply their education in practical ways. However, there are quite a few roles—such as accountants, customer service reps, or IT positions—that don’t align neatly with public administration principles, indicating a mix of directly applicable and less relevant positions.
Overall, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While many graduates managed to secure positions that are clearly tied to Public Administration, especially in government or community-focused roles, others ended up in jobs that might not fully leverage their degree. It shows that while a public administration degree can open doors in various fields, the connection to the core principles of the discipline isn't always straightforward. If you’re thinking about this career path, it’s something to keep in mind: the degree is valuable, but where you end up may not always echo that value directly.
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 San Diego State University):
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from San Diego State University with a degree in Public Administration, it’s pretty clear that many of them have taken paths that align with their studies, especially in the public sector and human resources. For many, their first jobs seem to involve various administrative or entry-level roles, often within government agencies or organizations related to public service—like office assistants or interns. For example, some graduates got started as office assistants or project managers, while others jumped into HR roles right away. This initial experience often builds a solid foundation for future opportunities.
Fast-forward a few years, and it looks like many graduates have really moved up the ladder in both the public and private sectors. By five years post-graduation, we see individuals taking on significant roles such as HR managers, project managers, and even directors in various organizations. A decade later, some have advanced to leadership positions, working in high-impact roles like business analytics partners or even city management. While not every grad has found a perfect fit straight out of school, the overall trend suggests that many have leveraged their degrees effectively to build successful careers relevant to public administration. Whether it's in human resources, project management, or various governmental positions, there seems to be a meaningful connection between their studies and their careers, which is definitely a good sign for future students considering this pathway!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration at San Diego State University, or really anywhere, can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s not necessarily the hardest major out there, but it does require a fair amount of reading, writing, and understanding of policy and government systems. You'll need to grasp some theories and frameworks that might seem a bit abstract at first, but they can be really relevant to real-world situations. Some students find it easier because they enjoy the subject matter and its real-life applications, while others might struggle with the papers and group projects. So, overall, it’s probably about average in terms of difficulty—challenging but manageable, especially if you’re keen on the topics covered!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Administration.
Looking at these graduates from San Diego State University, it seems like they've had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to income. Some of them have climbed the ladder pretty well in their careers, especially those in HR and technology roles, which usually pay decent salaries. For instance, the person who went from an HR Analyst to a Senior Analyst at Samsung and then to a Business Analytics Partner at Meta likely made some good dough. Others, like the graduates working in administrative positions or entry-level roles, probably aren't raking in as much, especially early on in their careers. Overall, while many seem to be on a solid path toward making decent money, there are definitely some who might still be figuring things out financially.
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 San Diego State University). This may or may not be useful:
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 |