Mathematics at Portland State University

Portland State's mathematics graduates start at a surprisingly low $37,427—landing in just the 14th percentile nationally and well below Oregon's median of $41,316. Even within the state, this program ranks at only the 40th percentile, trailing both Oregon State ($45,204) and sitting far ahead of only University of Oregon's notably weak outcomes. That first-year salary barely covers basic living expenses in Portland, one of the more expensive housing markets in the Pacific Northwest.

The 70% earnings jump to $63,659 by year four offers real hope, suggesting graduates either need time to find their footing or are transitioning into higher-paying roles that require experience. The debt picture is actually favorable—at $26,480, it's lower than the national median for math programs, creating a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio even with those weak starting salaries. With 40% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are weighing affordability heavily, and PSU's near-open admission policy suggests accessibility is part of the mission.

The core question is whether your student can weather those difficult first years financially. If they're living at home or have financial support to bridge that gap, the program becomes more viable—the eventual earnings are decent, and the debt load won't be crushing. But if they need to be self-supporting immediately after graduation, these starting salaries could force difficult choices about where they live and what jobs they'll accept just to make ends meet.