Management Information Systems and Services at Portland State University

Based on comparable programs in Oregon, this MIS degree suggests solid technical career potential with manageable financial risk. The estimated $63,000 first-year salary matches both the state median and what Oregon State's reported outcomes show, while the projected $23,185 debt load—though higher than Oregon's median of $17,500—still creates a reasonable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio. For context, this tracks slightly above the national median debt of $24,000 for similar programs.

Portland State's high Pell enrollment (40%) indicates the program serves many students from lower-income backgrounds who need these outcomes to deliver. The numbers from peer programs suggest graduates typically earn enough to handle their debt, with first-year earnings exceeding debt by nearly threefold. That's a functional starting point for tech-adjacent careers, though not the premium salary some MIS programs command.

The catch is uncertainty: with earnings and debt both estimated from similar programs rather than Portland State's actual graduates, you're making decisions on borrowed data. If this program performs like its Oregon peers—particularly the two OSU campuses that report identical $63,000 outcomes—the investment looks sound. But verify the school can connect you to Portland's tech employers and has strong industry partnerships, since the numbers alone don't confirm Portland State's specific track record in placing MIS graduates.