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Public Administration at The University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
57
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,358/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (528,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 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 $503K $502K $471K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.0x 14.0x 13.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.7x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 49% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 57 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)
$35,964
Out-of-state: $87,860 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$44,936
-25% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,927
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $38,358/yr fall 22% below the $49,353 national median for Public Administration. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

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 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Public Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,000 against $38,358/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #40 ranking among 45 Public Administration programs places The University of Texas at San Antonio in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 28% earnings increase from $38,358 to $48,927 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About The University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio has a 88% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 29,675 students in San Antonio, TX. With 42% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at San Antonio →

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

Compare this program → View all 45 schools offering Public Administration →

Public Administration at Other Schools

Barry University ($103,107) National University ($77,077) California State University-Northridge ($76,049) University of Maryland Global Campus ($74,053) Southern New Hampshire University ($73,129) California Baptist University ($68,682) Ashford University ($65,503) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($61,790)

Other Majors at The University of Texas at San Antonio

Computer Engineering ($73,639) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($72,804) Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection ($71,202) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($70,489) Civil Engineering ($67,994) Mechanical Engineering ($64,313) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($60,705) Management Information Systems and Services ($58,123)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Public Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Public Administration at The University of Texas at San Antonio?
At 57/100, the score looks reasonable — but Public Administration is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Public Administration at The University of Texas at San Antonio?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is The University of Texas at San Antonio a good choice for Public Administration despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Texas at San Antonio's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →