Compare 10 Sports Studies. programs in Oregon. Average earnings: $36,831.
With top graduates earning $50,162, Sports Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $14K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Pacific University's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $50,162, well above the $36,831 average across Oregon's 10 programs. Oregon State follows at $47,101 with a much larger cohort of 215 students, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't limited to smaller programs.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Pacific University graduates borrow $23,223 and face just an 11.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. Eastern Oregon University leads for families with a 24.3% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Pacific UniversityPrivate | $50,162 | 35 | $23,223 | Good | $33,960 | High |
| #2 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $47,101 | 215 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | High |
| #3 | $47,101 | 8 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | High | |
| #4 | $44,177 | 51 | $20,500 | Manageable | $15,500 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $40,753 | 60 | $20,609 | Manageable | $23,014 | High | |
| #6 | Linfield UniversityPrivate | $34,856 | 21 | $25,000 | High | $36,067 | High |
| #7 | Warner Pacific UniversityPrivate | $28,816 | 11 | $25,000 | High | $17,588 | High |
| #8 | Willamette UniversityPrivate | $26,570 | 23 | $21,500 | High | $36,571 | High |
| #9 | $25,194 | 37 | $20,332 | High | $21,279 | High | |
| #10 | George Fox UniversityPrivate | $23,579 | 34 | $24,250 | High | $33,547 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
