Management Information Systems and Services at Southern Oregon University

First-year earnings of $59,328 place Southern Oregon's MIS program slightly below the middle of the pack—both nationally and among Oregon's seven programs offering this degree. More concerning is that based on similar bachelor's programs nationally, graduates likely carry around $23,000 in debt, which is actually higher than the $17,500 median for Oregon MIS programs. Oregon State's campuses report first-year earnings of $63,000 for their MIS graduates, suggesting a $3,700 gap that could compound significantly over a career in tech.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 isn't alarming on its own—it suggests manageable repayment for most households. But MIS is a field where employers often care more about skills and internships than the school name on your diploma. If Southern Oregon can't match the internship networks and employer connections that Oregon State provides (reflected in those higher starting salaries), parents should ask hard questions about whether the smaller program justifies similar debt levels. The broad outcome range for MIS programs nationally—from $42,000 to over $67,000—means the specific school's industry ties matter enormously.

Given the limited graduate sample requiring estimated debt figures, request actual job placement data and alumni outcomes directly from the program. A $23,000 investment makes sense if Southern Oregon's computer science department has strong Portland tech connections, but Oregon State's proven track record makes it the safer bet for families who can't afford to guess.