Management Information Systems and Services at Oregon State University

Oregon State's MIS program hits an impressive sweet spot: graduates carry just $17,500 in debt—well below the $24,000 national median—while earning $63,000 in their first year. That 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly three months' salary, making this one of the more financially manageable tech-adjacent degrees you'll find. The program performs right at Oregon's state median for MIS, which matters since most students will stay in-state where tech job markets (particularly around Portland) support these salaries.

The 8% earnings growth to $67,829 by year four is modest but steady, tracking just above the national median throughout. While this won't match computer science trajectories, it reflects MIS's role bridging business and technology—typically more stable and slightly less lucrative than pure software development. At 60th percentile among Oregon programs, it's solidly middle-of-the-pack for the state, neither elite nor lagging.

For a student interested in tech but perhaps not hardcore programming, this represents a financially sound path. The combination of below-average debt and above-average starting pay creates immediate financial breathing room. Just understand this is a practical, risk-averse choice rather than a high-ceiling opportunity—your graduate will likely need to pursue specialized certifications or an MBA to significantly boost earnings beyond that $68K mark.