Human Resourcesat Portland State University
Graduates earn $49,696/yr in their first year — about 4.0% below the national Human Resources average. Base-case 10-year earnings $627K; scenarios range from $562K to $641K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Portland State University
First-year earnings of $49,696 track close to the $51,599 national median for Human Resources programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Human Resources programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Human Resources's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.
At $18,791 in median debt against $49,696 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #19 of 169 nationally, this is a top-5% Human Resources program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $49,696 to $73,873 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Human Resources
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 Human Resources offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Human Resources trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Human Resources at Portland State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Resources at Portland State University?
A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Human Resources field.
Will AI replace Human Resources careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $561,555 in decade earnings vs $641,499 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Portland State University's Human Resources program stand out?
Ranked #19 of 169 programs nationally, Portland State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.