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Portland State University
Portland, OR
Portland State University is a public research university located in the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1946, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study. With a student population of over 26,000, PSU is dedicated to providing a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
One of the defining features of Portland State University is its commitment to community engagement and civic responsibility. PSU is known for its unique partnership with the city of Portland, allowing students to actively participate in shaping the future of their community. This hands-on approach is reflected in the university's strong emphasis on experiential learning, offering students opportunities to intern, conduct research, and collaborate with local businesses and organizations.
Portland State University also boasts a strong reputation for its sustainability initiatives. As one of the greenest campuses in the United States, PSU incorporates sustainability into its teaching, research, and operations. The university is home to numerous eco-friendly initiatives, including LEED-certified buildings, sustainable transportation options, and recycling programs. This commitment to sustainability aligns with the city of Portland's reputation as a leader in environmental conservation and creates a unique learning environment for students interested in sustainability and eco-conscious practices. Overall, Portland State University offers students a vibrant and engaged learning community set against the backdrop of a lively and progressive city.
Located in Portland, OR and set in an urban environment, Portland State University is a public university. This academic institution uses a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 93%. The freshman retention rate at Portland State University is 74.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 53%.
The transfer application deadline is September 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Portland State University.
Quick Facts
16,864
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
93%
Acceptance Rate
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
53%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Here are the most essential data you should know about admission at Portland State University.
In 2024, the school accepted 7,377 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
2.15% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 2.97% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 2.9% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 58.8% between 1,200 and 1,399, 35.3% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 2.9% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 17, 23.4 between 24-29, 40.4 in the range between 18-23, and 19.1 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.37. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Portland State University.
If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is September 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Portland State University was 74.7% in 2024, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 53%.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the best place for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Portland State University in 2024 was 21,611.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 14.9. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 16,864, 336 of which were international students. 2,147 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,204 male and 7,251 female full-time students in 2024. 879 full-time graduate men and 1,527 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 1,304 Asian students and 697 Afro-American students in 2024. 3,103 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 961 identified with more than one race. The school also had 99 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 232 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 333 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Portland State University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $9,765 for area residents. Tuition fees were $29,070 for students coming from a different state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $29,070, as well. Full-time students in 2024 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,004.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $29,070 | $2,004 | $31,074 |
| In-State | $9,765 | $2,004 | $11,769 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $798.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
At Portland State University, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $13,443.
| Tuition | $ 9,765 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,443 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 798 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,006 |
Financial Aid
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Portland State University.
The most recent records show that 1,030 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $14,088.14.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
5,941 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 7,427. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $36,590,312, and state $34,885,541. The students of Portland State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $2,194,710, and external in the amount of $3,690,169.
$4,147
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
114 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 35 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $36,590,312 while the state aid is $28,243. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $362,188. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,055,738 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2024, this ratio at Portland State University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 749 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 643 male and 826 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Portland State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Portland State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some information about students' life at Portland State University.
Its campus spans 50 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 1 and female students 1. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students who have a passion for media and communication, Portland State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Portland State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Portland State University.
All in all, campus life at Portland State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Portland State University.
Career Counselling
At Portland State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Portland State University is located in Portland, OR.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Portland State University is 93%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Portland State University is 74.7%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.