Overview
Portland, OR Portland State University is a public 4-year college located in Portland, Oregon. There are currently 14,299 undergraduates at Portland State and the school’s acceptance rate is 93%. The tuition at Portland State is $10,806 for in-state students and $29,706 for out-of-state.
City
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$29,445
$32,064
$16,281
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$29,445for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$48,345for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Portland State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Portland State is $29,445 for in-state students in OR, and $48,345 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Portland State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Portland State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Portland State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Portland State University is 003216.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
Portland State is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Portland State. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at Portland State University
57% of students at Portland State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Portland State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Portland State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
93%
21
1088 is the median SAT score and 21 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Portland State. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Coalition Colleges
Portland State is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Portland State via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.
Is Portland State test-optional?
Portland State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Portland State?
Students must apply by July 31 to enroll at Portland State during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
17:1
Graduation Rate
53%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
19%
19% of graduates
Social Sciences
11%
11% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
9%
9% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
7%
7% of graduates
Engineering
7%
7% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
4%
4% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
4%
4% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
3%
3% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
2%
2% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Architecture
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
14,299
Pell Grant 40%
Undergrad Students Over 25 34%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 23%
Percent Male / Female 43% / 57%
Ethnic Diversity at Portland State
49% White
22% Hispanic
10% Asian / Pacific Islander
7% Multiracial
5% Black
3% International / Non-Citizen
3% Unknown
1% American Indian / Alaska Native
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$57,906
Median Debt $20,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $217
Graduation Rate 53%
What is the graduation rate at Portland State University?
53% of students who start at Portland State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 5% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Portland State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Portland State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $57,906. This is $7,515 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Portland State take out in loans?
Graduates of Portland State have to take out a median of $20,500 in federal student loans. This is $7,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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