Portland State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Portland State University is a public research university in Portland, Oregon, with about 13,182 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 90.87% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $57,906 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $11,679
- 2024 Average Net Price: $9,552 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 90.87% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 13,182 75.9% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 52.66%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 39.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 20.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 56.8%
- Average ACT Score: 21
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,282
- Applicants (IPEDS): 8,877
- Room & Board: $13,728 annual estimate
Portland State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Portland State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Portland State University?
Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (ZIP 97201).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Portland State University public or private?
Portland State University is a Public institution.
How much does Portland State University cost?
Published tuition: $11,679 in-state, $31,074 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $9,552.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $7,655 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,752 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $8,981 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $12,993 |
| $110,001+ | $19,112 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $46,716.
How hard is it to get into Portland State University?
Admission rate: 90.87%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Portland State University?
Total enrollment: 13,182 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 18,282 students.
Graduate enrollment: 4,537 students.
About 76% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Portland State University?
150%-time completion rate: 52.66%.
First-year retention: 76.1%.
What do graduates of Portland State University earn?
Median earnings: $46,937 six years after entry; $57,906 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,500.
41.65% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Portland State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Psychology, General (401 completions)
- Social Work (366 completions)
- Social Sciences, General (277 completions)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other (263 completions)
- Computer Science (244 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (230 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (208 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (164 completions)
- Accounting (155 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (152 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Portland State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 90.87%; completion rate 52.66%; median earnings $57,906 at 10 years; net price $9,552. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$11,679
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Portland State University was $11,679.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$9,552
2024 Value
In 2024 Portland State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $9,552.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$38,208 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$9,552 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$46,716 4-Year In-State Tuition
$124,296 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$13,728 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$732 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$26,139 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$104,556 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Portland State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
41.65% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
32.27% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Portland State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Portland State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,878 | $23,088 | $14,145 |
| 2014 | $7,794 | $23,319 | $13,992 |
| 2015 | $8,034 | $24,009 | $14,323 |
| 2016 | $8,337 | $24,852 | $15,762 |
| 2017 | $8,783 | $26,130 | $14,160 |
| 2018 | $9,105 | $27,437 | $13,856 |
| 2019 | $9,579 | $28,410 | $13,040 |
| 2020 | $10,112 | $29,001 | $12,498 |
| 2021 | $10,386 | $29,286 | $13,334 |
| 2022 | $10,806 | $29,706 | $16,281 |
| 2023 | $11,238 | $30,138 | $12,932 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
90.87% Acceptance Rate
8,877 Total Applicants
8,070 Students Admitted
1,580 First-Time Students Enrolled
19.58% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Portland State University reported total enrollment of about 13,182 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 44% male and 56% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (46.5%), Hispanic or Latino (23.2%), and Asian (10.1%). About 41.65% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 39.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
75.9% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Portland State University in 2024 is 13,182 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 18,282 students. Graduate enrollment is about 4,537 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
76.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 46.5%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
34.01% 100% Completion Time
52.66% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 34.01% of students graduating from Portland State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Psychology, General: 25% male / 75% female
- Social Work: 18% male / 82% female
- Social Sciences, General: 29% male / 71% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Portland State University.
Return on Investment
$20,500 Median Student Debt
$57,906 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
35.40% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1415.55% Return on Investment
3.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Portland State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 148 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Psychology, General: 401 completions
2. Social Work: 366 completions
3. Social Sciences, General: 277 completions
4. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other: 263 completions
5. Computer Science: 244 completions
6. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 230 completions
7. Business Administration and Management, General: 208 completions
8. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 164 completions
9. Accounting: 155 completions
Most popular programs at Portland State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Portland State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Portland State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 56.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,893
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $13,280
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Portland State University is a public institution located in Portland, OR, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Psychology, General, Social Work, Social Sciences, General. Enrollment is approximately 13,182 students. Student body composition includes White (46.5%), Hispanic or Latino (23.2%), Asian (10.1%). The admission rate is 90.87%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 21. The 150%-time completion rate is 52.66%. Approximately 41.65% of students receive Pell Grants. About 39.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Portland, OR 97201
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 148 distinct degree programs, Portland State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Portland State University located?
Portland State University is located in Portland, OR.
What is Portland State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Portland State University is 90.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 8,877 applicants and 8,070 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Portland State University cost?
Reported tuition is $11,679 and average net price is $9,552 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $13,728 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Portland State University?
Portland State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 18,282 students, White (46.5%), Hispanic or Latino (23.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Portland State University?
About 39.1% of students at Portland State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Portland State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Portland State University reports midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of Portland State University earn?
Median earnings are $46,937 six years after entry and $57,906 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Portland State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 52.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Portland State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,500.
Is Portland State University public or private?
Portland State University is a public institution located in Portland, OR.
Is Portland State University an HBCU?
No. Portland State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Portland State University a tribal college?
No. Portland State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Oregon college profile
- Oregon college costs
- Oregon colleges by ROI
- Oregon State University vs University of Oregon vs Portland State University
- Portland, Oregon city profile
- Far West regional profile
- Urban (City) college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Oregon
- Oregon college costs
- Oregon colleges by ROI
- Oregon State University vs University of Oregon vs Portland State University
- Portland, Oregon city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Oregon
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.