Public · Mostly associate degrees · Large city

Portland Community College

Portland, Oregon. 19,531 undergraduates.

19%Graduation rate18 pts below the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$6,234Average net price per year37% below the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$48,571Median earnings 10 years after starting8% above the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
$13,671Median debt at graduation14% above the national median for similar colleges ($12,000)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($13,671) equals 28% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($48,571).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$6,280
$30,000–$48,000$4,861
$48,001–$75,000$3,725
$75,001–$110,000$9,050
Over $110,000$13,888

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $5,430 in-state, $10,830 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate19%38%
Return for second year63%64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$45,115$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$48,571$45,146
Median debt at graduation$13,671$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

81 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing31—$103,926$25,610
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians13—$89,552—
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions48—$89,167—
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians7—$83,919—
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians56—$81,060—
Biomedical/Medical Engineering2—$80,829—
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions0—$74,759—
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection25—$71,451—
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management91—$66,299—
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians29—$66,046—
Computer Programming38—$65,497—
Precision Metal Working21—$61,042—
Legal Support Services21—$59,464—
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions36$69,959$58,516—
Business Administration, Management and Operations79—$58,387—
Computer Software and Media Applications2—$58,228—
Health and Medical Administrative Services19—$57,674—
Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions13—$57,315—
Accounting and Related Services31—$57,234—
Criminal Justice and Corrections22—$55,277—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities1,901$37,051$51,455$12,918
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians25—$46,262—
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services10———
Education, General2———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods15———
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians6———
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician11———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services3———
Biotechnology9———
Gerontology6———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness9———
Fire Protection1———
Human Services, General13———
Geography and Cartography3———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers3———
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)1———
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians1———
Air Transportation11———
Design and Applied Arts76——$26,500
Film/Video and Photographic Arts21———
Fine and Studio Arts2———
Music19———
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions13———
Marketing6———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Portland Community College cost per year?
The average net price at Portland Community College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $6,234 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Portland Community College graduates earn?
Former Portland Community College students earn a median of $48,571 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Portland Community College?
19% of Portland Community College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Portland Community College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Portland Community College is $13,671. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.