Portland State University partners with Niche to automatically accept qualified students. No application needed. Learn more about Niche Direct Admissions
gradeB
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?Data Sources
Academics
gradeB
Value
gradeB
Diversity
gradeA
Campus
gradeB
Athletics
gradeB
Party Scene
gradeB minus
Professors
gradeA minus
Location
gradeA+
Dorms
gradeC+
Campus Food
gradeA
Student Life
gradeB
Safety
gradeB minus
About
About Portland State...
- Common App Accepted
- Public College
- SAT/ACT Optional
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I-FCS
Athletic Conference
Big Sky Conference
- Oregon
- Portland
From Portland State University
Portland State University is more than Portland’s public research university. It’s a place to test ideas and projects that show the world how different is done. Our innovative approach combines education with creative problem-solving and collaboration across campus for maximum impact. With more than 200 degree programs to choose from, PSU is Oregon’s most diverse, innovative and affordable research university.
Portland State University Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
See All Portland State University Rankings
Admissions
Application Deadline
Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.
Rolling Admissions
Acceptance Rate
93%
SAT Range
1000-1250
ACT Range
17-24
Application Fee
$60
SAT/ACT
Neither required nor recommended
High School GPA
Required
Accepts Common App
Yes
Read More About Admissions
Will You Get Into PSU?
Test Scores and High School GPA for Portland State University
See Other CollegesYouTube Video
Cost
Net Price
$16,273/ year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$9,750/ year
National
$7,535
Students Receiving Financial Aid
89%
Find Private Student Loans
Find College Scholarships
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Academics
Professors
gradeA minus
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
14:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
76%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.143 responses
67%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.175 responses
56%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.174 responses
Read More About Academics
Majors
Most Popular Majors
Psychology
365 Graduates
Liberal Arts and Humanities
353 Graduates
Social Science Research Methods
247 Graduates
Marketing
209 Graduates
Accounting
188 Graduates
Business
186 Graduates
Biology
175 Graduates
Computer Science
168 Graduates
Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
151 Graduates
Health Service Preparatory Studies
149 Graduates
More
See All Majors
Online
Programs Offered Entirely Online
Total number of complete undergraduate programs offered online or through distance learning.
Offers Online Courses
College offers distance education courses.
Yes
Online Certificate Programs
Total number of certificate degree programs offered online or through distance education.
Online Associates Programs
Total number of associate degree programs offered online or through distance education.
Online Bachelor's Programs
Total number of bachelor's degree programs offered online or through distance education.
Explore All Online Majors
How Students Learn
Based on class setting of student enrollment.
Mix of Online and on Campus
40%
On Campus
42%
Online
18%
Students
Full-Time Enrollment
11,200Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
5,662
Undergrads Over 25
33%
Pell Grant
57%
Varsity Athletes
3%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on
131 responses
All types of people
41%
The people are the most diverse I've ever seen
22%
Average
8%
Environmentalists
8%
Open-minded
8%
White
6%
Outgoing
2%
More
Read More About the Students
Campus Life
Freshmen Live On-Campus
No data available —
Poll
61%
of students say Greek life is pretty low-key and has little effect on the social scene.199 responses
Poll
65%
of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.251 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on
142 responses
Diverse, progressive, enviornmentally friendly,
58%
Environmentally Friendly
12%
Progressive
12%
Full of hippies (in a good way)
6%
A very white school
4%
Sustainable, Not diverse enough
3%
Fast-paced
2%
More
Read More About Campus Life
After College
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$44,700/ year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
53%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
88%
National
83%
80%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.94 responses
Read More About Life After Graduation
Portland State University Reviews
Rating 3.64 out of 5 2,690 reviews
Rating 5 out of 5
I have enjoyed Portland State University, and is overall good. I like the professors in both of my programs and they were great at meeting for help when I asked, even if it was outside of their office hours. Class sizes have been small, which is nice. The Disability Resource Center is amazing! They suggested accommodations I hadn't thought of and got me to first priority registration for my ADHD. I also found the academic resources awesome. I loved using the academic coaching for organizing and would recommend it to anyone needing help. It is the best. For location I also like how close it is to different performing halls, like the Keller Auditorium. However, I do wish that there was a better way to find different guest lectures. I'd love to hear a few guest lectures.
- Sophom*ore
- 29 days ago
Rating 5 out of 5
When I decided to continue my education in 2021, Portland State University was the only four-year college in Oregon offering the STEP Scholarship program. The STEP program is the only way I can complete my degree due to Federal aid exhaustion. For giving me that opportunity, I would rate Portland State as number one considering the two other four-year colleges I have also attended. Portland State is also the lowest cost per credit I believe. They tie for first regarding support- I feel greatly supported in continuing my education with all staff thus far. Some have gone beyond expectations. This is important considering one college falls very short in this aspect, feeling more like what I’d imagine a graduate school may feel like- distant & separate, rather than by your side & on the same page. Completing a bachelors program is already challenging enough, we don’t need the additional challenge of feeling unsupported in our journey as students. So, thank you Portland State University!🙂
- Senior
- 2 months ago
Rating 4 out of 5
The thing I like most about PSU is the freedom and flexibility to experience different classes, programs, campus life opportunities, social events, due to the fact that it is such a large school and that It also offers these opportunities for a cheap price. I would like to see more opportunities, such as clubs and extracurriculars, to meet other students who share similar interests
- Sophom*ore
- 26 days ago
