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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.
Portland State University is a public university located in Portland, OR and set in an urban environment. This school 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.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the important things about Portland State University.
Quick Facts
15,414
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
53%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Check out some essential information about admission at Portland State University.
In 2024, the school accepted 8,248 new students.
Test Scores
3.66% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 2.6% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 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% between 800 and 999, and 9.1% between 600 and 799. The percent of new 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. For transfer students, the application deadline is September 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for Portland State University was 76.1% in 2024, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 53%.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 19,951 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 12.66% for that year. There was a total of 15,414 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 341 international students. The school reported to have a total of 1,883 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 2024. 879 full-time graduate men and 1,527 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,326, and the number of African American students was 746. 3,060 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,117 identified with more than one race. The school also had 85 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 50 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 322 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Portland State University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Portland State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $10,260. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $30,510 in 2024. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $30,510, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $1,370 in 2024.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $30,510 | $1,370 | $31,880 |
| In-State | $10,260 | $1,370 | $11,630 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated expense 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. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2024, room and board cost at Portland State University amounted to $15,393 a year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,260 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,393 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 750 |
| Total Expense | $ 26,403 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid available at Portland State University.
The most recent records show that 955 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $14,619 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
6,016 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 7,151. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $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
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for 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.
144 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 40 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $42,880,655 while the state aid is $48,526. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need 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
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2024, this ratio at Portland State University was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 1,307 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 564 men and 743 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Portland State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some info about social life at Portland State University.
It has a campus size of 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.
There are 162 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 1 percent of male and 1 of female students are active in different organizations at Portland State University. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students interested in 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.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has 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. There is 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 90%.
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The most recent reported 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.