Portland State University
Portland, OR, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$12,195
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$10,716
$30k - $48k
$11,059
$48k - $75k
$12,964
$75k - $110k
$16,102
$110k+
$19,523
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
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

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
Students receiving state aid
41%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$3,039
Students receiving federal aid
60%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,772
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$63,075,496
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$1,871,212

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
Students receiving federal loans
35%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,632
Average Other Loans Per Year
$13,848
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
Loan Default Rate
4%
US National: 7%
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

What Students Are Saying

College can be very expensive, but I think that with all the options Portland State has to offer that everyone can find their passion.
Brittany from Tigard, OR
While they aren't 100% streamlined in all processes, this school really tries to give you what you need, and tailor your education to your specific goals.
Mary from Portland, OR
Each class that I have taken at Portland State University has been challenging and rewarding. I have had many study partners within the school and with other local schools and I feel that the PSU curriculum is well rounded and intuitively organized. Again, for lower level courses it may help stretch student dollars to consider concurrent enrollment with Portland Community College as their courses and curriculum is compatible with PSU in many ways as the two schools work together.
Chelsea from Woodland, WA
I think the college is worth the money all though PSU doesn't offer as much financial aid as the bigger universities. Textbooks are really expensive too. Living in Portland also adds to the bill.
William from Corvallis, OR
In comparison to many colleges, PSU is not terribly expensive. However, as a young college student I still feel the sting when tuition is due. That being said, the millions of opportunities offered at PSU, in my opinion, makes every cent worth it. Not only are the classes great, the events a blast, and the location unbeatable, Portland State has an unfounded number of connections to the surrounding businesses in the downtown area. This gives graduate as well as undergrads the priceless ability to move from school to career in a heartbeat.
Christina from Gresham, OR
I was fortunate enough to receive enough financial aid to the point where I do not need to take out loans for my first year here at PSU. (I am an Oregon resident, btw.) That said, I did have to pay a few hundred dollars out of pocket, but that's a small price to pay considering I won't have a whole lot of debt by the time I graduate, if any at all! I have to say I'm a little annoyed at the fact that I am charged a rec center fee each term, even though I never use the rec center. But oh well, there's no way around that. But I believe the amount I'm paying for my education is just right.
R from Beaverton, OR
The school is so large and offers so much, yet it is quite affordable and costs less than other schools in the Oregon. This school is money well spent.
Jourdan from Portland, OR
The tuition rate at PSU is affordable and If one wants to stay close to home or the city life then this could be the right place for you. PSU offers students an option to do co-enrollment where they can take a few classes at a community college while taking at least 6-8 at PSU and have shared financial aid so its cheaper that way. Also, if you play your cards right- the campus offers a lot more jobs than meets the eye to help support students. All in all, you are getting the bang for the buck if you add it all up.
My-Duyen from Clackamas, OR