WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+26% vs national median69 grads tracked

Psychology at Portland State University

Ranked 2nd of 87 doctoral (research) programs in Psychology by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$91,518
middle 50%: $76,958 – $110,470
Median · 5 years out
$123,233
middle 50%: $110,004 – $148,888
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Psychology (doctoral (research)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Portland State University's doctoral (research) program in Psychology earn a median $91,518 one year after graduating, rising to $123,233 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 26% above the national median of $97,549 for this field, ranking 2nd of 87 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
3.3 yrs
≈ $3,577 total interest

Same major at other universities

Clemson University
$141,351 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$116,958 · 5 yrs out
Sam Houston State University
$115,506 · 5 yrs out
Indiana State University
$115,366 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
$113,650 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$113,557 · 5 yrs out
James Madison University
$113,393 · 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
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
Education (Doctorate)
$98,538 · 5 yrs out

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