Political Science and Government at Portland State University

Portland State's Political Science graduates start modestly but show something important: 26% earnings growth over four years, rising from $35,173 to $44,469. That trajectory matters more than the below-average starting point—graduates who stick it out see meaningful income progression. The $23,818 in debt is manageable given this growth pattern, with first-year earnings covering about 1.5 times the debt load.

The challenge is that 40th percentile ranking among Oregon political science programs. With Oregon State and University of Oregon graduates earning $3,000-4,000 more right out of the gate, Portland State students face a steeper climb despite that strong growth rate. The 91% admission rate and substantial Pell population (40%) suggest many students here are getting access to higher education they might not find elsewhere, which adds important context to these middling numbers.

For a student committed to political science who can keep debt near this median, the program works—but only if they're prepared for lean early years and understand they're not getting the immediate earnings boost that Oregon's more selective programs deliver. The real test is whether that four-year growth continues into years five and beyond, which this data can't show.