More Oregonians Than Ever Have Higher Earning Potential With College Degrees

The newest census data reflects that over 1.1 million Oregonians have a four-year college degree, the highest number of graduates recorded historically. People with degrees earn significantly more than those without.

Oregon Has Record Number Of People With College Degrees

Nine percentage points above the 2010 census data, the new figures indicate that close to 38% of Oregon’s  residents over the age of 25 have a four year college degree, including 55% of Portlanders.

As a result, these people are likely to earn higher incomes and enjoy better economic security but there are gender, racial and ethnic divisions.

A roughly equal share of Oregon’s men and women had college degrees in 2010, and while the percentage of men has remained similar at around 29%, 44% of women in Oregon earned degrees, driving the increase overall.

Around 30% of Black Oregonians have a degree, but this is 8 points under the state’s total rate, and less than a fifth of Hispanic residents are graduates.

The numbers are also significantly lower in rural areas. In Klamath County, 20% and in Umatilla County, 18% have college degrees.

Comparing graduating to income, the median annual earnings for those with a bachelor’s degree in Oregon wase $67,000 as opposed to $39,000 with just a high school diploma,  and slightly under $34,000 for people in the state who didn’t finish high school- almost half the wage of a graduate.

The lack of economic opportunity for those without college degrees in Oregon featured in this year’s presidential campaign, but as tuition fees increase, graduation remains unreachable for many.