Value signal
Lower net price
After typical aid, families pay below the national average.
This school$9.6k
National avg$18.5k
Source: IPEDS 2024
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Portland State University
Portland, OR
Portland State University at a glance
Portland State University is a public university in Portland, Oregon with 19,951 students (IPEDS, fall 2024 enrollment). It admitted 91% of applicants (IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024). Its published in-state tuition is $11,679 (IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25); students who received federal aid paid an average net price of $9,552 a year after grants (College Scorecard, a prior cohort). 53% of students finish within the federal tracking window (IPEDS, Graduation Rates 2024 collection: 4-year cohort 2018, 2-year cohort 2021); 32% of students take federal loans, and borrowers leave with a median $20,500 (College Scorecard). By program, the highest graduate earnings four years after finishing are in Electrical Engineering, master's ($139,274) and Business Administration, master's ($123,281) (College Scorecard, 2017-19 graduates).
Tuition
$11,679
2024-25
Acceptance
91%
Fall 2024 applicants
Students
19,951
Fall 2024
Type
University
Setting
Urban
Cost & Financial Aid
In-State Tuition
$11,679
Out-of-State Tuition
$31,074
Avg On-Campus Living
$13,728
Avg Off-Campus Living
$13,728
Financial Aid & Outcomes
College Scorecard
What will it actually cost?
Sticker price: $25,407
Net price (after aid): $9,552
Most students pay the net price after financial aid, not the sticker price.
Net price by family income
$0 – $30k: $7,655
$30k – $48k: $7,752
$48k – $75k: $8,981
$75k – $110k: $12,993
$110k+: $19,112
Can federal loans cover it? (2026 limits)
At every income level reported here, the average net price is within the $25,500 a first-year dependent student and their parents can borrow from the federal government for loans made from 1 July 2026.
The ceiling is $5,500 in the student’s own Direct Loan plus up to $20,000 in Parent PLUS, which requires that the parent has no adverse credit history. Net prices are averages for a prior cohort of aid recipients, not a quote. Source: Federal Student Aid loan limits. Where this gap is largest.
After graduation
Median earnings (10yr): $57,906
Median debt at graduation: $20,500
Est. monthly loan payment: $217
Earnings-to-debt ratio
Moderate · 2.8×Graduates earn about 2.8× their median debt every year.
Financial access
Students on Pell Grants: 42%
Pell Grants are federal aid for students from low-income families.
Students with federal loans: 32%
Share of students who borrowed to pay for school.
Some fields may not be reported by this institution. Verify final details with the school directly.
How does cost line up with outcomes across colleges? See our analysis of college cost vs. graduation and earnings, an association shaped by selectivity and sector, not proof a pricier college pays off.
FAFSA earnings check
: Not flaggedPortland State University does not trigger the FAFSA's "lower earnings" notice. Its graduates' median earnings four years after completing were $65,448, above the $35,320 median for high school graduates aged 25 to 34 in Oregon.
This is one figure for the whole institution, not for any program: earnings differ by credential and field. It covers graduates who completed in 2017-18 and 2018-19, received federal aid, and were working and not enrolled when earnings were measured in 2022 and 2023, in January 2026 dollars. The Department says the notice is informational only: it does not change aid eligibility. Source: U.S. Department of Education, FSA Data Center, March 2026 release. Which colleges are flagged, and what changed.
Student Outcomes
Graduation Rate
53%
Freshman Retention
76%
Source: IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25 (provisional release)
Final aid offers, scholarships, and net price vary per family. Always verify with the school's financial aid office.
Scholarships available
Decision support · Cost & value
Quick Decision Highlights
The strongest cost, aid, and value reasons to consider this school.
Strong aid for lower incomes
Reported net price for the $0–30k band runs below average.
Need-based aid friendly
42% above avg
Strong post-grad earnings
$57.9k above avg
Affordability snapshot
In-state tuition
$11.7k
Out-of-state
$31.1k
Net price
$9.6k
below avg
Pell
42%
above avg
Median debt
$20.5k
below avg
Earnings (10y)
$57.9k
above avg
“Avg” comparisons reference national IPEDS / College Scorecard averages (~2022–23); figures are directional and vary by school and year.
Admissions
Acceptance rate
91%
SAT range
Institution does not report this
Institution does not report this
ACT range
Institution does not report this
Institution does not report this
Source: IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024 (provisional release)
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Location
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UniversitiesCommunity Colleges1 school
Institution does not report this
Portland, OR 97201
Academics
Studying online: a substantial share study entirely online
In Fall 2023, 3,750 of Portland State University's 20,519 students (18%) were enrolled entirely at a distance. A further 7,379 (36%) took at least one distance course alongside in-person study.
Distance-education figures count STUDENTS enrolled in Fall 2023, not programs on offer. "Exclusively at a distance" means a student took only distance courses that term. A college with few or no such students may still run online courses or an online degree, so a low figure is not evidence that online study is unavailable, and a high one is not a judgement of quality either way.
U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS Fall Enrollment (distance education status), Fall 2023
Fields of study
Portland State University reported conferring credentials in 109 different fields to the federal government. See which ones, and at what credential level.
Campus & Student Life
Area Safety Rating
Decision support
Similar schools
Worth a closer look if Portland State University caught your interest.
Eastern Oregon University
La Grande, OR
Tuition $11,076 98% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR
Tuition $13,260 95% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR
Tuition $11,879 98% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR
Tuition $12,762 89% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
Tuition $16,137 88% acceptSame state. Similar acceptance. Similar size.Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
Tuition $14,400 77% acceptSame state. Same school type.
Graduate earnings by program
What Portland State University graduates earn, by program
Portland State University's bachelor's graduates in Psychology earned a median $49,063 four years after graduating, 3% below the $50,706 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $33,179; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $19,655 in federal loans at this college (about $208 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $24,499 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
79 programs at Portland State University have federal earnings or debt figures, largest graduating classes first. Earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, earnings measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Debt: graduates of 2018-19 and 2019-20. The national median is the same measure for every program in that field and credential in the U.S.
| Program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after | National median | Federal debt borrowed at this college (median) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, Bachelor's | $49,063 | $50,706, −3% | $19,655 | $208/mo |
| Social Work, Master's | $77,091 | $65,123, +18% | $47,784 | $544/mo |
| Business Administration, Bachelor's | $71,621 | $68,257, +5% | $19,901 | $211/mo |
| Social Sciences, Bachelor's | $52,562 | $53,366, about the same | $21,914 | $232/mo |
| Liberal Arts and General Studies, Bachelor's | $50,949 | $53,072, −4% | $22,604 | $240/mo |
| Marketing, Bachelor's | $61,499 | $69,303, −11% | $18,000 | $191/mo |
| Health Sciences, Bachelor's | $59,961 | $61,296, about the same | $15,844 | $168/mo |
| Accounting, Bachelor's | $77,226 | $76,194, about the same | $23,000 | $244/mo |
| Biology, Bachelor's | $54,934 | $57,214, −4% | $22,750 | $241/mo |
| Computer Science, Bachelor's | $113,889 | $107,009, +6% | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Criminal Justice, Bachelor's | $58,109 | $55,378, +5% | $22,630 | $240/mo |
| Education, Master's | $61,014 | $65,824, −7% | $33,391 | $380/mo |
Compare what Psychology pays at other colleges
What the job pays locally
- Accounting graduates train as accountants and auditors: median $85,800 in Oregon.
- Mechanical Engineering graduates train as mechanical engineers: median $103,470 in Oregon.
- Civil Engineering graduates train as civil engineers: median $105,250 in Oregon.
- Electrical Engineering graduates train as electrical engineers: median $125,160 in Oregon.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: everyone working in the job, every experience level, not only recent graduates.
Show 67 more programs
| Program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after | National median | Federal debt borrowed at this college (median) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences, Bachelor's | $57,303 | $58,891, −3% | $21,720 | $230/mo |
| Public Health, Bachelor's | $58,860 | $58,808, about the same | $21,500 | $228/mo |
| Human Resources, Bachelor's | $68,274 | $68,069, about the same | $18,791 | $199/mo |
| Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor's | $57,438 | $55,693, +3% | $16,476 | $175/mo |
| Finance, Bachelor's | $79,727 | $83,343, −4% | $16,444 | $174/mo |
| Design and Applied Arts, Bachelor's | $56,158 | $51,490, +9% | $23,100 | $245/mo |
| Social Work, Bachelor's | $63,456 | $51,790, +23% | $23,000 | $244/mo |
| Business Administration, Master's | $123,281 | $103,485, +19% | $39,595 | $450/mo |
| Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's | $94,223 | $92,135, about the same | $23,000 | $244/mo |
| Computer Science, Master's | $145,715 | $145,571, about the same | $24,484 | $279/mo |
| English, Bachelor's | $43,342 | $48,590, −11% | $19,513 | $207/mo |
| Communication, Bachelor's | $59,232 | $56,359, +5% | $20,499 | $217/mo |
| Political Science, Bachelor's | $59,185 | $63,293, −6% | $19,083 | $202/mo |
| Special Education, Master's | $67,504 | $64,397, +5% | $40,595 | $462/mo |
| Civil Engineering, Bachelor's | $86,084 | $86,517, about the same | $22,470 | $238/mo |
| Human Development and Family Studies, Bachelor's | $50,427 | $48,568, +4% | $20,750 | $220/mo |
| Educational Administration, Master's | $63,168 | $71,685, −12% | $30,833 | $351/mo |
| Electrical Engineering, Bachelor's | $101,905 | $100,647, about the same | $23,875 | $253/mo |
| Film and Photography, Bachelor's | $41,639 | $43,765, −5% | $23,250 | $246/mo |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Bachelor's | $58,961 | $55,012, +7% | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Fine and Studio Arts, Bachelor's | $40,731 | $41,367, about the same | $26,296 | $279/mo |
| Mathematics, Bachelor's | $68,280 | $69,562, about the same | $20,834 | $221/mo |
| Sociology, Bachelor's | $53,753 | $52,657, about the same | $18,376 | $195/mo |
| History, Bachelor's | $54,131 | $50,680, +7% | $24,423 | $259/mo |
| Economics, Bachelor's | $75,482 | $82,686, −9% | $20,000 | $212/mo |
| Student Counseling, Master's | $63,034 | $60,111, +5% | $61,197 | $696/mo |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other, Bachelor's | $70,765 | $69,830, about the same | $18,000 | $191/mo |
| Architecture, Bachelor's | $62,349 | $66,914, −7% | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences, Bachelor's | $59,563 | $58,928, about the same | $21,480 | $228/mo |
| Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences, Master's | $76,980 | $67,030, +15% | $52,500 | $597/mo |
| Public Administration, Master's | $99,801 | $81,408, +23% | $41,000 | $466/mo |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning, Master's | $80,453 | $79,665, about the same | $39,229 | $446/mo |
| Curriculum and Instruction, Master's | $76,554 | $63,399, +21% | $25,750 | $293/mo |
| Human Development and Family Studies, Graduate certificate | — | $60,191 | — | — |
| Teacher Education (by grade level), Master's | $62,874 | $59,916, +5% | $40,495 | $461/mo |
| Anthropology, Bachelor's | $41,759 | $46,676, −11% | $17,937 | $190/mo |
| Writing and Rhetoric, Master's | $43,137 | $55,035, −22% | $41,000 | $466/mo |
| Publishing, Master's | $58,153 | $63,992, −9% | $41,000 | $466/mo |
| Applied Mathematics, Master's | — | $116,060 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Bachelor's | $50,241 | $55,000, −9% | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Community Organization and Advocacy, Bachelor's | $51,066 | $51,936, about the same | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Urban Studies/Affairs, Bachelor's | — | $62,532 | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Real Estate, Master's | $117,821 | $135,104, −13% | $39,144 | $445/mo |
| Computer Engineering, Bachelor's | — | $109,015 | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Mechanical Engineering, Master's | $107,077 | $115,974, −8% | — | — |
| Music, Bachelor's | $34,160 | $42,892, −20% | $27,000 | $286/mo |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Bachelor's | — | $51,710 | $24,506 | $260/mo |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language, Master's | $43,242 | $65,767, −34% | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Bachelor's | $51,925 | $49,984, +4% | $23,499 | $249/mo |
| Biochemistry, Bachelor's | $75,765 | $65,466, +16% | $22,221 | $236/mo |
| Philosophy, Bachelor's | $50,191 | $54,455, −8% | $18,822 | $200/mo |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Bachelor's | $57,932 | $60,190, −4% | $21,253 | $225/mo |
| International Relations and National Security Studies, Bachelor's | $56,436 | $66,596, −15% | $21,666 | $230/mo |
| Chemistry, Bachelor's | $70,948 | $65,120, +9% | $24,000 | $254/mo |
| Geography and Cartography, Bachelor's | $54,310 | $57,853, −6% | $21,771 | $231/mo |
| Physics, Bachelor's | $87,488 | $76,786, +14% | $22,358 | $237/mo |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other, Bachelor's | $51,248 | $47,629, +8% | — | — |
| Taxation, Master's | $81,454 | $114,810, −29% | $30,502 | $347/mo |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Bachelor's | $39,563 | $51,642, −23% | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Architecture, Master's | $71,002 | $74,139, −4% | — | — |
| Civil Engineering, Master's | $93,150 | $98,323, −5% | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis, Master's | $73,504 | $93,020, −21% | — | — |
| Theatre, Bachelor's | $45,692 | $39,775, +15% | $29,399 | $312/mo |
| Geography and Cartography, Master's | — | $79,784 | — | — |
| Finance, Master's | $113,459 | $110,694, about the same | — | — |
| Electrical Engineering, Master's | $139,274 | $133,654, +4% | $24,428 | $278/mo |
| Accounting, Post-baccalaureate certificate | $79,598 | $86,165, −8% | — | — |
Median earnings of graduates who received federal student aid, worked, and were not enrolled in school; debt is the median federal loans borrowed at this college by graduates who borrowed (Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS; not Parent PLUS, private loans or interest). Programs with too few graduates are suppressed by the Department of Education. Monthly payment assumes a standard 10-year plan. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field-of-study data, 10 June 2026. Download every program (CSV). Same degree, different paycheck: what the national data show. Over the Cap: graduate programs where typical debt exceeds the federal loan limits in force since July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
About Portland State University
Built from CampusPin profile data. Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with the institution before applying. See our data methodology and data dictionary.
- Where is Portland State University located?
- Portland State University is located in Portland, OR, in the United States.
- What type of institution is Portland State University?
- Portland State University is a public university based in OR. CampusPin classifies institutions as either four-year universities or two-year community colleges, with control labeled public or private.
- What is the acceptance rate at Portland State University?
- The most recently reported acceptance rate at Portland State University is approximately 91% (IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024). Acceptance rate signals selectivity but does not predict any individual applicant's outcome and is not a measure of school quality. CampusPin reports the federally-published value; verify the current cycle with the institution.
- What is the tuition at Portland State University?
- Portland State University's published in-state tuition is approximately $11,679 per year (IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25). This is the published price before financial aid; the net price most students actually pay is typically lower. Verify the current academic-year tuition with the institution before applying.
- How many students attend Portland State University?
- Portland State University reports total enrollment of approximately 19,951 students (undergraduate plus graduate) (IPEDS, fall 2024 enrollment). Total enrollment is a useful sizing signal, see the institutional profile for additional breakdowns when available.
- How much does Portland State University actually cost after financial aid?
- The average net price at Portland State University is approximately $9,552 per year. Net price is the total cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships that never have to be repaid, so it is what students actually paid rather than the published sticker price. What families pay varies with income: students from families earning under $30,000 paid about $7,655 on average, and those from families earning $110,000 or more about $19,112. These are averages for students who received federal aid in a prior cohort, not a quote for any individual family. Run the institution's own Net Price Calculator for a figure specific to you.
- What is the graduation rate at Portland State University?
- Portland State University reports a graduation rate of approximately 53% (IPEDS, Graduation Rates 2024 collection: 4-year cohort 2018, 2-year cohort 2021). This measures the share of a prior entering cohort who completed their degree within the federal tracking window. It reflects who enrolls as much as what the institution does, so it is not on its own a measure of teaching quality, and it is not comparable across institutions serving very different students.
- How much student debt do graduates of Portland State University have?
- Students who borrowed at Portland State University left with a median of approximately $20,500 in federal loans, and about 32% of students took federal loans at all. Both numbers matter: a median describes only the students who borrowed, so it reads very differently at a school where most students borrow than at one where few do. Federal loans only, so private and parent borrowing are not included.
- How much do graduates of Portland State University earn?
- Median earnings approximately ten years after entry are $57,906 for students who received federal financial aid at Portland State University. This reflects the mix of programs the institution offers and the students who enroll, not the effect of attending, and it covers aid recipients rather than all graduates.
- How should I verify final details about Portland State University?
- CampusPin compiles institutional data from public datasets like IPEDS and the College Scorecard, plus institutional websites and editorial review. Before applying, paying a deposit, or making a final decision, confirm admissions requirements, current tuition, financial aid, deadlines, and program details directly with Portland State University.
- How much do Psychology graduates from Portland State University earn?
- Portland State University's bachelor's graduates in Psychology earned a median $49,063 four years after graduating, 3% below the $50,706 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $33,179; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $19,655 in federal loans at this college (about $208 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $24,499 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
- How much do Social Work graduates from Portland State University earn?
- Portland State University's master's graduates in Social Work earned a median $77,091 four years after graduating, 18% above the $65,123 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $57,241; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $47,784 in federal loans at this college (about $544 a month on a 10-year plan).
- Which programs at Portland State University have the highest graduate earnings?
- Among the 51 programs at Portland State University with a federal earnings figure from at least 30 graduates, the highest medians four years after graduating were Electrical Engineering, master's ($139,274); Business Administration, master's ($123,281); and Computer Science, bachelor's ($113,889) (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). That order is one federal measure, not a ranking of program quality: earnings reflect the field and where graduates go to work as well as the program.
- Does Portland State University get a "lower earnings" warning on the FAFSA?
- No. In the Department of Education's March 2026 data, which the FAFSA uses now, Portland State University's graduates' median earnings four years after completing were $65,448, above the $35,320 median for high school graduates aged 25 to 34 in Oregon, so first-year students who list it do not see the lower-earnings notice. The figure describes the whole institution, not any one program.
Fields this college awarded credentials in
The 14 largest of 109 fields Portland State University reported, by credentials conferred in 2024-25, using the federal classification of each field. The level is the highest credential actually awarded, which is not always the one a field is best known for.
| Field | Awarded | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 427 | Graduate (312 graduate · 115 bachelor's) |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 381 | Graduate |
| Psychology, General | 318 | Graduate (2 graduate · 316 bachelor's) |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 279 | Graduate (89 graduate · 190 bachelor's) |
| Computer Science | 243 | Graduate (109 graduate · 134 bachelor's) |
| Social Sciences, General | 229 | Bachelor's |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 193 | Bachelor's (185 bachelor's · 8 certificate) |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 156 | Graduate |
| Marketing | 155 | Bachelor's |
| Accounting and Related Services | 154 | Graduate (38 graduate · 116 bachelor's) |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 146 | Bachelor's (143 bachelor's · 3 certificate) |
| Biology, General | 126 | Graduate (7 graduate · 119 bachelor's) |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 124 | Bachelor's |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 123 | Graduate (12 graduate · 111 bachelor's) |
Fields are as classified in the federal IPEDS completions collection, which records credentials already conferred. A field listed here was awarded in the reporting year; it does not confirm the program is currently admitting students, and a field CampusPin has no guide for is still shown under its official federal title. Confirm current offerings with the institution.
Explore more
Compare colleges side by side. Other colleges in Portland, OR. All colleges in Oregon. Oregon college costs by family income. Student debt at Oregon colleges. Computer science in Oregon. Business in Oregon. Nursing in Oregon. Psychology in Oregon. Engineering in Oregon.
Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with Portland State University before applying.
Data sources & methodology
Reporting period: 2024. Last verified: June 10, 2026.
Facts on this profile of Portland State University are compiled from federal datasets and the institution's own published information.
Sources used across this page
Not every source informs every figure. Each data point draws on the source appropriate to it see the relevant section and the data dictionary for field-level provenance.
IPEDS / NCES College Navigator
Federal enrollment, admissions, tuition, retention, and program data. Released annually with a 1–2 year lag.
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
Net price by income band, post-graduation earnings, and federal aid context.
Clery Act campus security reports
Annual campus security and fire-safety disclosures required of U.S. institutions.
Institutional websites
Each school's official admissions, registrar, and financial-aid pages are the authoritative source for current details.
Where a value is unavailable it is shown as unavailable, never as 0, free, or a negative judgment. Always confirm final details with the institution before applying.
Suggested citation
CampusPin. (2024). Portland State University, college profile. Retrieved from https://campuspin.com/schools/portland-state-university
About this information
CampusPin compiles college information from recent publicly available data, including federal and institutional sources. College information can change as institutions and public agencies release new data.
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