Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Portland State University

Portland State's Health Services program performs solidly against national benchmarks but sits at the Oregon median—which matters when you're paying in-state tuition and competing for local jobs. Graduates earn $37,709 in their first year, placing them in the 60th percentile statewide and slightly above the national median of $35,279. With only four schools offering this program in Oregon, your position relative to local competition is straightforward: you're middle of the pack.

The debt picture deserves attention. While the $19,750 median is manageable—giving you a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52—it puts this program in the 88th percentile nationally for debt, meaning most comparable programs saddle students with less. Oregon programs generally carry lower debt than the national median of $26,690, so this isn't unique to Portland State, but it's still worth considering alongside the modest starting salary.

For families looking at allied health as a pathway to stable employment, this program delivers predictable outcomes without standout financial advantages. The 91% admission rate and significant Pell enrollment suggest accessibility, but you're essentially paying for market-rate preparation in a crowded field. If your child has admission options at other Oregon schools in this program, compare the debt loads carefully—the earnings appear consistent across the state, so minimizing what you borrow becomes the key variable.