Degree Dividend
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Pacific University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Forest Grove, OR · 1,516 students

The verdict

Pacific University charges a net price of $35,273/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $141,092. Graduates earn a median $60,583 ten years after entry, $12,223/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 11.5 years — a 20-year net return of $103,368, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
$35,273
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$60,583
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
11.5 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
90%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Pacific University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$35,273/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$141,092our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$60,583Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$12,223/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,223Scorecard, 2026
Payback11.5 yrsour math
20-year net return$103,368our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.