Bachelor's-6% vs national median3,013 grads tracked
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Portland State University
Ranked 144th of 266 bachelor's programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$35,772
middle 50%: $25,312 – $49,408
Median · 5 years out
$51,658
middle 50%: $35,417 – $67,350
Median · 10 years out
$64,528
middle 50%: $43,150 – $86,096
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Portland State University liberal arts graduates earn a median of $36k in their first year. Ten-year median earnings reach $65k.
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
8.2 yrs
≈ $9,622 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of New Orleans (The)
$52,118 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
$52,080 · 5 yrs out
Columbus State University
$52,031 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin Colleges
$52,031 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University
$51,851 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$51,684 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana Tech University
$51,644 · 5 yrs out
Sweet Briar College
$51,627 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$51,515 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$51,487 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$51,394 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$51,223 · 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