Est. Earnings (1yr)
$56,348
Est. from OR median (8 programs)
Median Debt
$24,020
4% below national median

Analysis

Similar accounting programs across Oregon suggest first-year earnings around $56,348 for University of Portland graduates, but the four-year figure of $69,967 is actual reported dataβ€”and it's notably strong, exceeding both the national median ($53,694) and Oregon's typical outcomes. This trajectory, if the estimates hold, would place University of Portland's accounting program among the state's better performers, though peer schools like George Fox and Linfield show slightly higher initial earnings.

The $24,020 in typical debt sits below both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43. That means graduates would owe less than half their first-year salaryβ€”comfortable territory for a professional degree that shows clear income growth. The four-year earnings jump of more than $13,000 suggests accounting credentials from University of Portland translate into career advancement, though without actual first-year data from this specific program, parents should understand there's inherent uncertainty in the early-career picture.

The investment calculus looks reasonable here: below-average debt paired with what appears to be solid mid-career earnings. Just recognize that because the initial earnings figure comes from comparable Oregon programs rather than University of Portland's actual graduates, the true starting salary could vary. The concrete four-year number provides the best evidence that this program delivers value.

Where University of Portland Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Portlandβ€”$69,967β€”
University of Oregon$58,449$75,219+29%
Oregon State University$53,694$72,376+35%
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus$53,694$72,376+35%
Portland State University$58,069$65,584+13%

Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon

Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (15 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of PortlandPortland$54,900$56,348*$69,967$24,020β€”
George Fox UniversityNewberg$40,940$59,980*β€”$26,0000.43
Linfield UniversityMcMinnville$49,530$58,914*$59,945$28,0000.48
University of OregonEugene$15,669$58,449*$75,219$20,5000.35
Portland State UniversityPortland$11,238$58,069*$65,584$31,0000.53
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate StudiesPortlandβ€”$54,626*$61,317$42,7650.78
National Medianβ€”$53,694*β€”$25,0000.47
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Portland, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in OR. Actual outcomes may vary.