Civil Engineering at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Oregon State's Cascades campus delivers typical outcomes for civil engineering graduates—students earn $70,635 in their first year and see steady growth to nearly $80,000 by year four. With $25,000 in median debt, graduates face monthly loan payments around $280, roughly 5% of their gross monthly income. That's a manageable burden that puts this program squarely in the middle of the pack both nationally (59th percentile) and among Oregon's six civil engineering programs (60th percentile).

The comparison to Oregon State's main campus in Corvallis is interesting: both programs show identical first-year earnings of $70,635, suggesting employers view degrees from either campus similarly. Portland State and Oregon Tech graduates earn less initially, while University of Portland barely edges ahead at $72,000. The 13% earnings growth over four years indicates solid career progression, typical for engineers gaining licensure and project experience.

For parents weighing a Cascades education against alternatives, this program offers straightforward value: competitive starting salaries, reasonable debt loads, and a degree that carries the Oregon State name without requiring a move to Corvallis. It won't catapult your child to the top of the earnings ladder, but it provides reliable entry into a stable profession with clear advancement potential.