Portland State University

Portland State University Overview

Portland State University is a public, state school in the urban setting of Portland, Oregon. Portland State University was founded in 1946 and the school presently has around 22,858 students a year, including 17,753 undergraduate students. Portland State University provides housing for students. The majority of students live on campus, and first year-students are required to live in campus housing.

There are many ways for students to get involved at Portland State University!

Interested in music or performing? Sing in a chorus or perform with one of Portland State University's theater groups.

Are you interested in journalism and communications? Portland State University students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Interested in Greek life? Portland State University has both fraternities and sororities.

Planning to play sports? Portland State University has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Portland State University on the Student Life page.

Is Portland State University a Good School?

The definition of a "good school" can mean different things for different people. Admissions difficulty, admitted student statistics, tuition, and financial aid can all provide a sense of how selective a school is.

Let's take a look at these factors to get a clearer sense of what Portland State University offers and if it might be a good choice for you.

Portland State University Acceptance Rate 2022

Portland State University is not difficult to get into. The acceptance rate at Portland State University is 98%. Last year, 6,862 students applied to Portland State University and 6,754 were admitted.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Portland State University

Retention refers to the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. It gauges how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Around 73% of students who start at Portland State University come back the next year. 54% of Portland State University undergrads graduate within six years. The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.

Job Outcomes for Portland State University Grads

Job placement statistics for recent graduates can give you a sense of the return on investment a school offers.

Check with Portland State University directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

Portland State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students.

Portland State University's endowment was valued at $105.6 million in 2022, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, Portland State University spends about $10,503 a year.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Portland State University

Tuition is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need.

Portland State University meets 55.32% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $12,561.82 a year.

Students in the class of 2022 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $24,172 of debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2023-2024 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2022

Some financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA asap. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! You should never have to pay to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Portland State University.

Based on this information, how does Portland State University sound? Remember, the best school for one person may be a terrible fit for someone else! So ask yourself: Is Portland State University a good school for you?

If Portland State University seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

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Portland State University Community Forums

Then use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting admitted to some of the schools in the U.S.

Where is Portland State University Located?

Portland State University is located in the urban setting of Portland, Oregon, in the suburbs of Portland.

If you would like to see Portland State University for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 5 to Portland, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Portland International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Portland State University and Portland are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges in Oregon?

See a full list of colleges in Oregon and save your favorites to your college list.