At a glance
Average net price
$9,552
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
52.7%
Admission rate
91%
Undergrad size
13,182
In-state tuition
$11,679
Out-of-state tuition
$31,074
Cost of attendance
$21,590
Median earnings (10y)
$57,906
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- 21
- Retention
- 76.1%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
25 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (28%), humanities & arts (23%), business (18%).
- STEM18%
- Health8%
- Business18%
- Humanities & arts23%
- Social sciences28%
- Trades & services4%
- Business18.1%~2,391 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Social sciences12.3%~1,619 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Psychology11.0%~1,445 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~1,059 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- ~772 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science5.4%~709 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts5.2%~687 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering5.1%~679 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~497 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~468 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~456 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- English2.8%~364 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~349 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~233 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~215 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communication1.6%~208 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~152 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Mathematics1.1%~145 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Architecture1.1%~145 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~141 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.0%~131 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Education0.7%~96 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~86 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~78 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~55 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 715 | $30,278 | $24,499 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Graduate certificate | 661 | — | — |
| Social Work. | Master's | 550 | $50,385 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 538 | $46,148 | $25,000 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 522 | $31,905 | $31,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 456 | $31,991 | $30,250 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 401 | $36,870 | $19,500 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 354 | — | $19,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 341 | $47,209 | $31,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 336 | $30,441 | $25,750 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 328 | $76,452 | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 302 | $36,250 | $26,641 |
| Education, General. | Master's | 288 | $47,060 | — |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering. | Master's | 262 | — | — |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Bachelor's | 257 | $32,021 | $27,500 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor's | 252 | $32,558 | $27,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor's | 247 | $44,051 | $25,460 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor's | 241 | $33,967 | $16,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 231 | $49,432 | $20,570 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 202 | $36,317 | $26,995 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 197 | $29,548 | $25,624 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 193 | $84,403 | — |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 188 | $62,670 | $29,113 |
| Computer Science. | Master's | 164 | $122,413 | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 160 | $28,107 | $24,546 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 158 | $36,472 | $24,582 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 155 | $31,308 | $23,818 |
| Public Health. | Master's | 137 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master's | 128 | $49,417 | — |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor's | 121 | $61,483 | $31,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 117 | $30,216 | $23,334 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 116 | $45,111 | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor's | 115 | $72,696 | $29,593 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor's | 115 | $24,124 | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 111 | $27,557 | $29,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 111 | $22,381 | $35,125 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 109 | $35,768 | $26,480 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 106 | $26,965 | $25,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 102 | $29,076 | $31,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 92 | $32,245 | $24,949 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Portland State University
Portland State University is a large institution located in Portland, Oregon, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 13,182 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Social sciences, Psychology.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Portland State University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $9,552 per year, which is very affordable compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $11,679 for in-state students and $31,074 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $21,590 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 52.7%, a above-average completion outcome. 76.1% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $57,906 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Portland State University confers degrees and certificates across 25 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Social sciences, Psychology. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (28% of credentials), humanities & arts (23% of credentials), business (18% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Portland State University accepts 91% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 21.
Location & campus
Set in Portland, Oregon (city), Portland State University draws students from across Oregon and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Portland State University
Q.How much does Portland State University cost?
The average net price at Portland State University is $9,552 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $21,590.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Portland State University?
Portland State University has a 6-year graduation rate of 52.7% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Portland State University?
Portland State University admits 91% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Portland State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Portland State University graduate earns $57,906 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Portland State University?
Published tuition is $11,679 in-state and $31,074 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Portland State University located?
Portland State University is located in Portland, Oregon (ZIP 97201).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Portland State University at their official website.