Portland State University

Portland State University

Portland, OR, USA

Originally founded to educate returning World War II veterans, Portland State University is a 4-year public institution in the heart of Portland. The PSU campus encompasses eight colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 120 fields of study. To provide a break from classes, the PSU Film Committee oversees the 5th Avenue Cinema, one of the only student-operated theaters in the US which offers free movie screenings to students. The university’s location also provides access to a number of indie bookstores, coffee shops, and food trucks.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
0
100
98%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionSeptember 1
Spring Regular DecisionMarch 3
OtherDecember 7

Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
78%
Out-Of-State Students
16%
8%
Submitting ACT
9%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 20
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1099
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
22,858
Total Number of Undergrads
17,753
Academic Calendar

Quarter

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
28%
20-39 Students
43%
40-99 Students
25%
100+ Students
2%
0
100
22%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
48%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
19:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$12,195
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$10,206
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$27,846
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$14,940
Books and Supplies
$888

Aid & Grants

0
100
55%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
39%
Average Aid Per Year
$9,015
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
39%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,772
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$4,187

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
35%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,059
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$16,665
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$205

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
44%
56%
Student Organizations
164
Size of Town
Major city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
9%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Vikings
School Colors
green and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Big Sky Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Portland
Seattle
San Francisco
Los Angeles
New York
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$50,800

What Students Are Saying

Portland State University is a high quality education that provides both flexibility to the busy student and abundant resources for success, through their many outstanding teachers, helpful graduate students, and various other bodies. The student body is very large and always eager to help and interact through study groups and social gatherings. Last and certainly not least, PSU has a terrific administration as I feel that my financial aid and registration continually runs smoothly and questions are answered both promptly and accurately.
Chelsea from Woodland, WA
This was not my first choice school; I went here because of the cheap tuition, and I'm very happy with my decision. I really love the school. There's always stuff to do, places to visit, food to eat (amazing food carts!), and a diverse body of people to meet.
R from Beaverton, OR
Portland State University has a great campus that allows for a lot of diversity and growth. The overall experience that I've had at PSU is great because I have made a lot of new friends, gained knowledge, and pursue my future with a bright outlook. The students and faculty here are always willing to help and welcome any ideas.
My-Duyen from Clackamas, OR
i love this school, especially because it's located in the heart of portland. it's a university filled with so much diversity. it's also a beautiful campus that makes you feel safe almost 100% of the time.
Marilynn from Winnemucca, NV