Ethnic & Cultural Minority at Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,441/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Small (8,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #19 of 92 Ethnic & Cultural Minority programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Ethnic & Cultural Minority graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $565K $553K $498K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.6x 12.3x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.6x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 41% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 27

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 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,728
-15% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,506
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,563
71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,441 track close to the $32,228 national median for Ethnic & Cultural Minority programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 12.3x 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 — 69% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,506 debt-to-$32,441 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #19 out of 92 programs, Portland State University's Ethnic & Cultural Minority program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $32,441 to $55,563 over five years (71% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Portland State University

Portland State University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 13,619 students in Portland, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Portland State University →

Top Career Paths

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary $84,290/yr
Interpreters and translators $59,440/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Ethnic & Cultural Minority 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 Ethnic & Cultural Minority program score?
This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Ethnic & Cultural Minority. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Ethnic & Cultural Minority to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Ethnic & Cultural Minority careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Portland State University rank so high for Ethnic & Cultural Minority?
The #19 ranking out of 92 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 →