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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 institution follows a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 90%. The freshman retention rate at Portland State University is 76.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 53%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. The transfer application deadline is September 1.
To find out more about what Portland State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
15,414
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
53%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly increase. Read on to find out some relevant facts about admission policy and requirements at Portland State University.
In 2025, the school accepted 8,248 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
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 3.66% and ACT scores 2.6%. 7.3% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 30.9% between 1,200 and 1,399, 27.3% between 1,000 and 1,199, 25.5% of the students between 800 and 999, and 9.1% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 12.8, 33.3 between 24-29, 28.2 in the range between 18-23, 23.1 between 12-17, and 2.6 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.36. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Portland State University.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is September 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Portland State University was 76.1%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience 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. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 53%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Portland State University in 2025 was 19,951.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 12.66% for that year. There was a total of 15,414 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 341 international students. 1,883 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,059 male and 6,958 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 879 full-time graduate male and 1,527 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Portland State University.
This school had 1,326 Asian students and 746 Afro-American students in 2025. 3,060 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,117 identified with more than one race. The school also had 85 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 50 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 322 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Portland State University estimated tuition fees.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $10,260, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $30,510 for students coming from out of state. Tuition costs at Portland State University for international students totalled $30,510. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $2,055 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $30,510 | $2,055 | $32,565 |
| In-State | $10,260 | $2,055 | $12,315 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant financial factor. The estimated price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $750.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Portland State University was $14,040 in 2025. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 amounted to $8,400 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,260 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,040 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 750 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,050 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support for students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid at Portland State University.
The most recent records show that 955 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students added up to $14,619.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
6,016 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 7,151. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $42,880,655, and state $34,095,029. The students of Portland State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $1,914,093, and external in the amount of $3,602,705.
$4,062
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. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 144 students overall (including freshmen) at Portland State University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 40 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $42,880,655 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $48,526. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $523,764. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,342,627 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Portland State University was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 1,307 faculty members. This number included 564 male and 743 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 info about social life at Portland State University.
It has a campus size of 50 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 143 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 1% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 1 for female students. For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of. You 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 phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. 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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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Portland State University is 90%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Portland State University is 76.1%.
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.
