Campus Vibe
Known for business — excellent value
Portland State University is a public institution in Portland with particular strength in business and psychology.
A large campus of 13.6K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
53% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $57,906 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,932.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Portland State University Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
67.2%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$15,457
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
104
Peer Average
92
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (243)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
75%
- •75% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •History 1946–1964: Establishment Portland State University was established as the Vanport Extension Center in June 1946, founded by Stephen Edward Epler, a native of Iowa.
- •The first classes were held in the Vanport Junior High School and given its location in the Columbia River floodplain was promptly given the colloquial title, "The U by the Slough.
- •" This first summer session had 221 students, and tuition and fees were $50.
- •Over 1,410 students registered for the 1946 fall term, which was delayed until October 7, 1946, due to a lack of space.
- •Following the May 30 Vanport Flood of 1948, the college became known as "the college that wouldn't die" for refusing to close after the flood.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
Schools Like This
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR · Urban · Public
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rootstown, OH · Suburban · Public
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
Tulsa, OK · Urban · Public
University of California-San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Urban · Public