Civil Engineering at Oregon Institute of Technology

Oregon Tech's civil engineering program starts graduates at $64,425—below both the state median ($70,635) and national average ($69,574). This is middle-of-the-pack for Oregon programs but trails competitors like Oregon State and University of Portland by roughly $6,000-8,000 annually. The silver lining is strong earnings growth: graduates see a 22% jump to nearly $79,000 by year four, which closes that gap considerably. At the 40th percentile statewide, this program sits squarely in average territory for the state.

The debt picture offers some relief. At under $20,000, graduates carry significantly less burden than typical Oregon engineering students (state median: $25,000) and national peers ($24,500). That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31—manageable by any standard. The lower starting salary matters less when monthly loan payments are proportionally smaller.

For families prioritizing debt minimization and steady career progression over top-tier starting salaries, this works. The 92% admission rate makes it accessible, and graduates land in solid middle-class territory within a few years. But if maximizing early earnings is the goal, Oregon State or University of Portland deliver $6,000+ more right out of the gate, though likely with higher debt loads. The choice hinges on whether you value lower debt over higher starting pay.