Portland State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 13,619 students.
About This School
Portland State University is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon with approximately 13,619 undergraduate students enrolled. Portland State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 91%. The average net price after financial aid is $12,932 per year. The graduation rate is 53%, and the typical graduate earns $50,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Portland State University (PSU) is a public research university in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1946 as a post-secondary educational institution for World War II veterans. It evolved into a four-year college over the next 20 years and was granted university status in 1969. It is one of two public universities in Oregon that are in a large city. It is governed by a board of trustees. PSU is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $12,932/year average net price and only $15,457 in median debt at graduation, PSU is genuinely affordable, and its location in Portland gives students real access to internships and urban career networks that smaller or rural schools can't match. The concern is the 53% graduation rate — meaning roughly half of students who start here don't finish — which is worth taking seriously before enrolling, especially if you'll need structure or strong academic support to stay on track. This is a solid option for self-directed students who want an affordable, city-based education and can take ownership of their experience.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (13,619 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Oregon
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR · Public
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR · Public
Portland Community College
Portland, OR · Public
Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR · Public
Lane Community College
Eugene, OR · Public
Linn-Benton Community College
Albany, OR · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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