Community Organization and Advocacy at Portland State University

Portland State's Community Organization and Advocacy program shows graduates earning $34,020 initially, rising to $45,490 by year four—a 34% increase that suggests strong career trajectory despite the modest starting point. The $22,250 debt load is relatively manageable, with graduates owing just 65 cents for every dollar of first-year income. However, context matters: this program ranks in just the 10th percentile nationally for earnings, meaning 90% of similar programs elsewhere produce higher-earning graduates. The only reason to feel somewhat reassured is that this appears to be Oregon's sole program in this field, so you're not choosing poorly among state options.

The real question is whether your child is committed to community organizing as a career path. The earnings here reflect the nonprofit and advocacy sector's reality—important work that doesn't pay like business or tech. If they're passionate about social change and comfortable living frugally early in their career, the debt is light enough to manage. The strong earnings growth suggests that experience pays off in this field.

One critical caveat: the sample size here is very small (under 30 graduates), making these numbers less reliable than typical program data. If your child is serious about this path, they should connect with alumni directly to understand real career outcomes before committing.