WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-13% vs national median620 grads tracked

Economics at Portland State University

Ranked 139th of 225 bachelor's programs in Economics by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$43,867
middle 50%: $31,645 – $58,574
Median · 5 years out
$69,221
middle 50%: $49,929 – $93,284
Median · 10 years out
$95,012
middle 50%: $63,610 – $130,341

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Economics (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Portland State University's bachelor's program in Economics earn a median $43,867 one year after graduating, rising to $95,012 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 13% below the national median of $79,200 for this field, ranking 139th of 225 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
6.3 yrs
≈ $7,265 total interest

Same major at other universities

Bowling Green State University
$70,606 · 5 yrs out
Longwood University
$70,599 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Farmingdale
$70,135 · 5 yrs out
Illinois State University
$69,907 · 5 yrs out
Monmouth College
$69,841 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$69,644 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Bemidji State University
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Youngstown State University
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
$68,957 · 5 yrs out
Winona State University
$68,802 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Portland State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$189,860 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$130,437 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$126,846 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$122,667 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$120,677 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$116,662 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,474 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,147 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$110,977 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$105,672 · 5 yrs out

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