At $35,350/yr net price, Pacific University graduates earn $60,583/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,583/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $35,350 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $141,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,583/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,583/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,223 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,238/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,979/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,427/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $36,060/yr |
| $110,001+ | $40,153/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $129,325 | $216,605 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $107,906 | $148,580 |
| Optometry. | Doctoral | $97,452 | $205,643 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $77,087 | $177,722 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $71,015 | $22,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $70,927 | $144,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $60,623 | $256,017 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $58,673 | $50,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $53,608 | $92,127 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $45,852 | $39,568 |
The Risk Factor
64.8% of students at Pacific University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 35% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Pacific University gives you a mixed financial picture. You pay $35,350 a year and walk out earning a median of $60,583 after ten years, with median debt of $23,223 that stays below your first-year earnings. That debt load is manageable, but the sticker price means the return depends heavily on what you study.
The gap between programs here is wide. Dental support services is the clear winner, paying $71,015 against $22,500 in debt, so the money you borrow gets paid back fast. Everything else on the list lags. Math, business, and political science all land in the high $30,000s. Psychology sits lowest at $33,993 while carrying $26,372 in debt, the highest borrowing on the list paired with the weakest earnings. If you plan to major in psychology and stop at a bachelor's, expect that debt to sting.
The main risk is paying private-school prices for a degree that earns like a public-school one. A $39,000 salary from business or math does not justify a $35,350 net price on its own, and Oregon's regional market outside Portland does not push those numbers up.
Net price drops sharply by income. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $22,238. over $110k, you pay $40,153. The middle tier at $48-75k pays $28,427, so lower-income families get real relief here while wealthier families pay close to full freight.
This school fits you if you head into dental or health-allied fields where the payoff is clear, or if you qualify for the lower income tiers. If you want a business, math, or psychology degree and would pay the full $40,153, look at cheaper public options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific University worth the cost?
Pacific University's ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Health science majors like pharmacy ($129,325 median earnings) and optometry ($97,452) justify the costs, but other programs may leave you with debt that's hard to repay given the $60,583 average graduate earnings.
What are the best paying majors at Pacific University?
Pharmacy leads Pacific University's earnings at $129,325 annually, followed by allied health professions at $107,906 and optometry at $97,452. These health-focused programs offer the strongest financial returns compared to the university's overall graduate average of $60,583.
How much debt do Pacific University graduates have?
Pacific University graduates carry a median debt of $23,223, which is manageable for high-earning health science majors but potentially burdensome for other programs. With average earnings of $60,583, debt-to-income ratios vary significantly by field of study.
Does Pacific University have good job placement after graduation?
Pacific University's 64.80% graduation rate is below average, which raises concerns about student success and job readiness. The school's strength lies specifically in health professions where professional licensing creates clearer career paths.