WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-4% vs national median124 grads tracked

Public Administration and Social Service Professions at Portland State University

Ranked 22nd of 33 doctoral (research) programs in Public Administration and Social Service Professions by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$86,367
middle 50%: $66,850 – $121,802
Median · 5 years out
$96,310
middle 50%: $73,728 – $119,554
Median · 10 years out
$104,398
middle 50%: $84,259 – $133,612

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Public Administration and Social Service Professions (doctoral (research)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Portland State University's doctoral (research) program in Public Administration and Social Service Professions earn a median $86,367 one year after graduating, rising to $104,398 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% below the national median of $100,394 for this field, ranking 22nd of 33 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
3.8 yrs
≈ $3,983 total interest

Same major at other universities

North Carolina State University
$99,994 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$99,433 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$98,892 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Institute of Technology
$97,992 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$96,524 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$95,590 · 5 yrs out
Valdosta State University
$94,122 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$93,789 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$92,521 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$91,460 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$90,301 · 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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