Biological and Physical Sciences at Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
51
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,419/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (28% exposed)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)
ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 26 Biological and Physical Sciences programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biological and Physical Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $637K $627K $583K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.2x 14.0x 13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.2x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 49% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 51 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,952
Out-of-state: $120,552 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,728
-15% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,720
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,769
76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Portland State University's Biological and Physical Sciences program produces graduates earning $37,419/yr — within striking distance of the $36,628 national average for this field.

The 14.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,720 debt-to-$37,419 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #5 out of 26 programs, Portland State University's Biological and Physical Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $37,419 to $65,769 over five years (76% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Portland State University

A 91% acceptance rate means Portland State University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 13,619 students in Portland, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Portland State University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biological and Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Portland State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Portland State University's Biological and Physical Sciences program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates.
Why does Portland State University rank so high for Biological and Physical Sciences?
The #5 ranking out of 26 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →