Economics at Portland State University

Portland State's economics program offers a practical path for Oregon students, outperforming the state median while keeping debt manageable. At $47,865 starting out, graduates earn slightly more than the typical Oregon economics degree ($45,993) and rank in the 60th percentile statewide—meaning they're doing better than most in-state alternatives. The $24,949 in median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, which is quite reasonable and below both national and state medians for the program.

The numbers lag behind the national median by about $4,000, placing graduates in the 35th percentile nationally. However, context matters: PSU serves a high proportion of Pell-eligible students (40%) and maintains near-open admissions, making it accessible to students who might not qualify for more selective programs. The 9% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests steady, if unspectacular, career progression.

For Oregon families choosing between in-state options, this represents solid middle-ground performance. You're getting better outcomes than you'd see at most Oregon public universities, with debt levels that won't become overwhelming. If your student has the academic profile for Reed or Lewis & Clark, those show stronger earning potential—but for many families, PSU delivers competitive results at a fraction of the cost and with far easier admission.