Analysis
University of Portland's finance program shows a promising earnings trajectory, though the initial figures come with caveats. Based on comparable Oregon programs, first-year earnings around $52,000 align with both state and national medians for finance bachelor's degrees. What matters more is the actual reported outcome four years out: $77,500. That's a substantial jump that suggests graduates are progressing into higher-paying roles, which is exactly what you'd hope to see in finance careers.
The estimated debt load of roughly $26,000 translates to a manageable 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratioβwell below the concerning 1.0 threshold. While this figure is derived from similar private institutions nationally rather than actual UP graduate data, it's worth noting that the university's low 19% Pell grant rate suggests a student body less likely to carry heavy debt burdens. The program appears accessible, with a 95% admission rate and solid SAT scores around 1270.
The practical challenge here is that we're working with limited actual outcomes data for this specific program. The four-year earnings figure is real and encouraging, but the initial salary estimate comes from a small sample of Oregon schools. If your student is serious about finance and the cost aligns with your family's situation, the mid-career trajectory looks solidβjust recognize you're partly betting on UP delivering similar results to its peer institutions rather than on proven track record data for this exact program.
Where University of Portland Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Portland | β | $77,541 | β |
| Linfield University | $47,517 | $76,117 | +60% |
| Portland State University | $52,859 | $65,045 | +23% |
| Oregon State University | $52,156 | $63,162 | +21% |
| Oregon State University-Cascades Campus | $52,156 | $63,162 | +21% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon
Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (7 total in state)
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $54,900 | $52,156* | $77,541 | $25,812* | β | |
| $11,238 | $52,859* | $65,045 | $20,570* | 0.39 | |
| $13,494 | $52,156* | $63,162 | $22,041* | 0.42 | |
| $12,594 | $52,156* | $63,162 | $22,041* | 0.42 | |
| $49,530 | $47,517* | $76,117 | $27,000* | 0.57 | |
| National Median | β | $53,590* | β | $23,332* | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Personal Financial Advisors
Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists
Budget Analysts
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Insurance Underwriters
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 4 similar programs in OR. Actual outcomes may vary.