Urban Studies/Affairs at Portland State University

Portland State's Urban Studies program shows graduates earning $45,870 in their first year—about 14% above the national median and outperforming roughly 70% of similar programs nationwide. That's solid positioning for a field that doesn't typically command high starting salaries. The program serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (40% of the university), suggesting good accessibility for students from various economic backgrounds.

The debt load of $36,850 is the real concern here, sitting well above the national median of $21,775 for this degree. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 is manageable (below the 1:1 threshold financial advisors typically flag), graduates are carrying significantly more debt than peers at other schools to reach similar earnings outcomes. This becomes particularly relevant at an accessible institution like Portland State—students who need loans will accumulate them.

These numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could swing the averages considerably. However, for families considering this path, the core question is whether urban planning and policy work—typically found in government, nonprofits, and community development—aligns with making monthly loan payments of around $400 for a decade. The earning power is reasonable for the field, but the debt burden is above-average for what graduates ultimately make.