Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection at Portland Community College

Portland Community College's construction management program produces first-year earnings of $63,103—dramatically outperforming the national median of $44,380 for similar associate degrees. While the debt figure of roughly $11,000 is estimated from peer community colleges (this program's actual graduate sample is too small for the DOE to publish), that estimate suggests a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.17, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about two months of earnings.

The strong earnings reflect Portland's robust construction market and high cost of living, though it's worth noting this program sits at the 60th percentile among Oregon's three construction programs—meaning some in-state alternatives may produce even better outcomes. The 95th percentile national ranking is somewhat inflated by comparing Portland wages to lower-cost markets elsewhere. Still, for a two-year degree requiring an estimated $11,000 in debt, the economics look favorable.

The main uncertainty here is that actual debt load, which could vary considerably from the national community college estimate. If your child can minimize borrowing through work-study or scholarships—particularly important given that 31% of PCC students receive Pell grants—this program offers a clear path to solid middle-class earnings in a field with strong regional demand.