Civil Engineering at University of Portland

University of Portland's civil engineering program produces graduates earning $72,094 in their first year—slightly above the Oregon median and in the 71st percentile nationally. The manageable debt load of $23,250 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.32, meaning graduates owe less than four months of their first-year salary. This positions the program competitively against Oregon State ($70,635) and well ahead of Portland State ($67,509), though the sample size here is small enough that these rankings could shift with more data.

The 8% earnings growth to nearly $78,000 by year four suggests steady career progression, typical for civil engineering where professional licensure often unlocks higher pay after a few years of experience. Combined with the University of Portland's 95% admission rate, this program offers an accessible path into a field with solid earning potential. The modest debt burden is particularly noteworthy—you're looking at monthly payments around $250-300 on standard repayment plans, which is quite manageable on a civil engineer's salary.

For families considering this investment, the math works: entering a profession that pays well from day one, with debt that won't dominate your child's budget, and earnings that grow as they gain experience. Just remember the small sample caveat means one unusually high or low earner could be skewing these numbers somewhat.