Portland, OR · Private University
Is Portland State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$57,906
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,238
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$30,138
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$120,552
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.92x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
53.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,932
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Portland State University graduates earn $12,906 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Portland State University ranked by graduate earnings
174 graduates
55 graduates
21 graduates
28 graduates
136 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Portland State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Portland State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $109,690) and the lowest (Music: $20,098) is $89,592/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $109,690 | 3.6x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $90,398 | 3.0x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $87,259 | 2.9x |
| Physics | $83,259 | 2.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,358 | 2.7x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,055 | 2.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $65,584 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,045 | 2.2x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $64,967 | 2.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,643 | 2.1x |
| Mathematics | $63,659 | 2.1x |
| Marketing | $58,587 | 1.9x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,977 | 1.8x |
| Chemistry | $54,740 | 1.8x |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $54,093 | 1.8x |
| Architecture | $53,625 | 1.8x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $53,307 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $52,205 | 1.7x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $52,080 | 1.7x |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $49,200 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $47,055 | 1.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,577 | 1.6x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $46,317 | 1.5x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs(1yr data) | $45,870 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,675 | 1.5x |
| Public Health | $45,655 | 1.5x |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $45,490 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $44,469 | 1.5x |
| Geography and Cartography | $44,226 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $43,525 | 1.4x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $43,264 | 1.4x |
| Social Sciences, General | $43,084 | 1.4x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,968 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $40,458 | 1.3x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $40,230 | 1.3x |
| Sociology | $39,581 | 1.3x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $39,164 | 1.3x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $37,709 | 1.3x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $37,709 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,537 | 1.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,892 | 1.2x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $36,766 | 1.2x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $35,966 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology | $35,877 | 1.2x |
| History | $34,635 | 1.1x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $33,528 | 1.1x |
| Philosophy | $33,163 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $28,284 | 0.9x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $25,262 | 0.8x |
| MusicLowest | $20,098 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Portland State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $57,906 10 years after starting, $12,906 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.