Business Administration, Management and Operations at Pacific University

Pacific University's business program delivers returns that lag both state and national benchmarks, placing it in the bottom half of Oregon options. With first-year earnings of $44,435—below both the state median ($47,555) and national average ($45,703)—graduates start behind peers at George Fox ($63,331) or even Portland State ($51,358). In a state with just 14 business programs, landing in the 40th percentile suggests limited competitive advantage.

The debt load of $26,000 sits right at the national median, which sounds reasonable until you consider the below-average earnings. That 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but graduates will feel the pinch more than peers at higher-performing Oregon schools. The 23% earnings growth to $54,802 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, though it doesn't fully compensate for the weak starting position.

For Oregon families, this presents a straightforward calculation: you're paying typical business program debt for below-typical Oregon outcomes. Unless Pacific offers specific networking advantages or fits your student's needs in ways the numbers can't capture, exploring alternatives like Portland State (similar accessibility, better earnings) or George Fox (stronger outcomes worth investigating the cost) makes financial sense. The 92% admission rate means this isn't about exclusivity—it's about whether the return justifies the investment.