Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,615/yr (40% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,400 openings/yr)
ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $621K $620K $554K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.8x 13.8x 12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.1x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 46

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 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,728
-15% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,480
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,116
72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Portland State University Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates command $35,615/yr out of the gate, well above the $25,392 national median. That 40% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 13.8x 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 — 46% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,480 debt-to-$35,615 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #9 ranking out of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs nationally puts Portland State University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth from $35,615 to $61,116 over five years (72% 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, with a mid-sized student body of 13,619 in Portland, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Portland State University →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Speech-language pathologists $95,410/yr
Audiologists $92,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Portland State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Portland State University's Communication Disorders Sciences and Services program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication Disorders Sciences and Services to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication Disorders Sciences and Services 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →