Communication Disordersat Portland State University
Graduates earn $35,615/yr in their first year — about 40.0% above the national Communication Disorders average. Base-case 10-year earnings $620K; scenarios range from $554K to $621K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Portland State University
Portland State's program in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services consistently prepares graduates for thriving careers, a testament to its strong regional connections and the inherent demand for these specialized skills. The Pacific Northwest, particularly the Portland metro area, offers a robust job market for speech-language pathologists and audiologists across various settings – from public school districts and universities to major hospital systems like OHSU and Providence, and numerous private practices. This local ecosystem creates strong recruiting pipelines directly from PSU, known for its emphasis on practical, clinical preparation. While some health specialties face evolving AI integration, the core therapeutic and diagnostic work in communication disorders remains profoundly human-centric, requiring empathy, nuanced judgment, and direct patient interaction—qualities highly resistant to automation. Your focus on securing diverse clinical experiences and understanding the path to a master's degree, often essential for licensure, will be key to maximizing your success.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Portland State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Communication Disorders
How Portland State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Portland State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Portland State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication Disorders offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Communication Disorders trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Communication Disorders at Portland State University
How does Portland State University's Communication Disorders program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Communication Disorders. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication Disorders to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication Disorders careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.