Cheapest Public Administration Colleges in California

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers the state's most affordable Public Administration program at just $3,659 net price, while National University graduates command the highest salaries at $74,576. This $70,917 gap between lowest cost and highest earnings reflects California's complex public sector market, where government agencies from Silicon Valley tech regulation to aerospace oversight create varied career paths. The Cal Grant program helps qualifying students access these programs across 14 institutions, with public universities clustering around $6,000-$7,000 in net costs compared to private schools reaching nearly $40,000.

Programs

$3,659 – $39,495

Net Price Range

$49,346

Avg. Program Earnings

57.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

14 Public Administration Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, California	$3,659	$7,064	46.9%	89.1%
2	California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, California	$5,646	$7,073	69.2%	66.7%
3	California State University-Bakersfield Bakersfield, California	$5,825	$7,696	49.3%	86.6%
4	California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, California	$5,918	$7,675	54.7%	91.1%
5	California State University-Fresno Fresno, California	$6,480	$6,980	54.8%	95.4%
6	California State University-Northridge Northridge, California	$7,599	$7,095	56.2%	91.2%
7	University of California-Riverside Riverside, California	$13,707	$14,170	76.6%	68.7%
8	California State University-Chico Chico, California	$14,838	$8,064	63.6%	95.0%
9	San Diego State University San Diego, California	$16,174	$8,290	78.3%	39.3%
10	Ashford University San Diego, California	$25,321	$13,160	8.8%
11	University of La Verne La Verne, California	$26,925	$47,000	65.4%	73.5%
12	California Baptist University Riverside, California	$27,384	$39,720	59.5%	79.9%
13	National University San Diego, California	$31,058	$13,320	50.0%
14	University of San Francisco San Francisco, California	$39,495	$58,222	71.1%	71.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Dominguez Hills so affordable for Public Administration students?

CSU-Dominguez Hills offers the lowest net price at $3,659 with an 89% acceptance rate, making it accessible to most applicants. The school's Carson location provides proximity to Los Angeles government agencies while maintaining lower overhead costs than urban campuses.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

CSU-Dominguez Hills has a 47% graduation rate despite its low cost, while University of San Francisco achieves 71% at nearly $40,000 net price. However, San Diego State University proves cost doesn't determine outcomes, delivering a 78% graduation rate at just $16,174 net price.

Is there a significant earnings difference between public and private Public Administration programs?

Private universities show wider earnings variation, from $33,993 at San Diego State to $74,576 at National University. Public CSU schools cluster around $35,000-$45,000 in median earnings, reflecting their focus on state and local government careers rather than federal positions.

Where do California Public Administration graduates typically find employment?

California's massive public sector includes over 2.5 million government employees across state agencies, 58 counties, and 482 cities. Silicon Valley tech regulation, aerospace contract oversight, and environmental agencies create specialized opportunities beyond traditional city management roles.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.