Analysis
With only two computer engineering programs in Oregon—Portland State reporting $87,259 in first-year earnings and George Fox's figures suppressed due to small cohort size—national benchmarks offer the best gauge. Peer programs across the country typically produce first-year earnings around $79,000, which would place George Fox graduates roughly $8,000 behind Portland State but comfortably above the threshold where a $26,000 debt load remains manageable. That 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could reasonably pay off loans within three years while building their careers.
The 96% admission rate and modest test scores indicate George Fox serves a broader student population than highly selective tech schools, which can actually work to a family's advantage—your student gets into a marketable field without the stress of elite admissions. Computer engineering delivers strong returns regardless of institutional prestige because employers care more about skills and projects than pedigree. The challenge is that with suppressed data, you're trusting that George Fox's small cohorts perform similarly to the national median rather than underperforming it.
If your child thrives in smaller environments and wants a faith-integrated education alongside technical training, the estimated numbers support this choice. But request placement rates and employer connections directly from the department—when a program graduates so few students that federal data gets suppressed, individual outcomes matter even more than averages.
Where George Fox University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon
Computer Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (2 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,940 | $78,953* | — | $26,146* | — | |
| $11,238 | $87,259* | — | $35,166* | 0.40 | |
| National Median | — | $78,952* | — | $24,500* | 0.31 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Computer Hardware Engineers
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At George Fox University, approximately 27% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 174 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.