Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Portland

University of Portland's electrical engineering graduates start at $79,423—slightly above both Oregon's median and the national benchmark—but the small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Oregon's six engineering schools, trailing Portland State's graduates by about $3,400 but leading Oregon Tech. What's particularly appealing is the debt picture: at $20,875, it's roughly $3,000-$4,000 less than typical engineering debt in both Oregon and nationally, giving graduates a comfortable 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow for manageable repayment.

The modest 5% earnings growth to $83,640 by year four is slower than you'd ideally want to see in engineering, where technical skills typically command increasing premiums. However, starting in the upper-$70,000s with manageable debt offers solid financial footing, especially given UP's 95% admission rate making it accessible for students who might not get into more selective programs. The bigger concern is whether this small cohort size reflects limited industry connections or reduced hiring pipelines compared to larger state schools.

For families weighing Portland State's higher earnings against UP's lower debt and smaller class sizes, the financial difference is real but not dramatic. If your student values UP's environment and can handle the tuition with this level of debt, the starting salary supports it—just recognize these specific numbers may not hold for future classes.