Public Finance: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Public Finance is a specialized academic discipline focused on the management, planning, and oversight of financial resources within government and public institutions. This field equips students with the analytical and strategic skills needed to navigate complex fiscal environments, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public spending.
- Public Budgeting and Fiscal Policy: Explores the processes of creating, executing, and evaluating government budgets, with emphasis on aligning fiscal decisions with long-term policy objectives and public service delivery.
- Public Trusts and Investment Management: Covers the principles and regulations governing public funds held in trust, including investment strategies that prioritize safety, liquidity, and return while adhering to legal and ethical standards.
- Fiscal Law and Regulatory Compliance: Examines the legal frameworks and statutory requirements that govern public financial operations, including procurement rules, audit standards, and fiscal accountability measures.
- Budget Forecasting and Financial Analysis: Develops expertise in modeling economic trends, projecting revenue and expenditure patterns, and using data-driven insights to inform budgetary decisions and policy planning.
Public Finance Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Public Finance Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Public Finance degrees, including Financial Managers, Financial Risk Specialists and Financial and Investment Analysts. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,344,470 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Managers 11-3031 | $161,700 | $86,490 - $239,200 | 818,620 | $77.74 |
| Financial Risk Specialists 13-2054 | $106,000 | $62,270 - $182,310 | 56,320 | $50.96 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts 13-2051 | $101,350 | $62,410 - $180,550 | 340,580 | $48.73 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Budget Analysts 13-2031 | $87,930 | $60,510 - $134,640 | 47,170 | $42.27 |
Public Finance Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $77,456 in Arkansas to $135,132 in New York—a 74% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, District of Columbia, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,344,470 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Public Finance by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 6 institutions offering Public Finance programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Public Finance is found at Niagara University (33 graduates), York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) (10 graduates), Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (9 graduates), George Washington University (GW) (9 graduates), and University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 63 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Master's
|
10 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Public Finance programs
How much can I earn with a Public Finance degree?
Salaries for Public Finance graduates vary by role and location. Financial Managers earn a median of $161,700 annually, while Financial Risk Specialists earn around $106,000. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $135,132 compared to $77,456 in Arkansas. Approximately 1,344,470 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Public Finance programs?
Currently 6 accredited institutions offer Public Finance degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Niagara University (33 graduates), York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) (10 graduates), and Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (9 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Public Finance growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 15 in 2010 to 63 in 2023-24. This represents a 320% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Public Finance degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Financial Managers, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial and Investment Analysts. Related occupations employ approximately 1,344,470 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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