Portland State University
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon- Graduation Rate
- 53% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,906 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $9,552 B
- 44% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 39.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $39.5 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon.
Every $1 spent returns $39.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,472,410.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 42% above the national college median.
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A top feeder school for 3 major employers.
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Social mobility rate of 2.01% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $39.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #501-600
- Times Higher Education
- Employer Pipelines
- 3
- Top feeder programs
- Research Score
- 14/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Portland State University Matters
Portland State University is a public research university in Portland, OR ranked #501-600 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 13,182
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Health Professions
Why students choose Portland State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 91% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,552 a year after grants and scholarships — 44% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,906 ten years after enrolling — 42% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 27% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.55 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 91%, Portland State University welcomes a diverse student body, making it a solid choice for those seeking a supportive academic environment. Students here often dive into popular programs like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Health Professions, and Visual & Performing Arts. The focus on applied learning and community engagement is particularly appealing for students who want to connect their studies with real-world experiences.
After graduation, the average earnings for alumni hover around $57,906 within ten years, which is a promising figure for those entering the job market. Many graduates find stable employment, which can be particularly valuable for those who have taken on debt to finance their education. With a net price of $9,552 after aid, Portland State makes higher education accessible, especially for the 42% of students who receive Pell Grants, helping to ease the financial burden for lower-income families.
When considering the practical aspects, the median debt for graduates stands at $20,500, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. This financial outlook is encouraging for students who are concerned about debt after college. Those who thrive at Portland State tend to be motivated, community-oriented individuals who appreciate a collaborative learning environment and the vibrant culture of Portland itself.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Portland State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Portland State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Portland, Oregon, Portland State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 21. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 57%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,893
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.71
- First-Gen Students
- 39%
- Applicants
- 7,926
- Admitted
- 7,378
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Portland State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Portland State University is $31,074, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,552. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,655 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,679
- Out-of-State
- $31,074
- Avg Net Price
- $9,552
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 32%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,655
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,752
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,981
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,112
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Portland State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Portland State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Portland State University earn a median of $57,906, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,937
- 8 Years
- $52,927
- 10 Years
- $57,906
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (427)
- 27%
- 100% (427)
- 27%
- 100% (427)
- 27%
- 100% (427)
- 27%
Where Grads Go
Portland State University is a top feeder for:
Rank among programs feeding each employer.
Top employers of Portland State University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- Abbott ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- ASML ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Daimler Truck North America ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Davis Tool ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Intel Corporation ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2024
- Lululemon ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Pacific Seafood ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Portland Trail Blazers ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Schneider Electric ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Toyota ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Tillamook County Creamery Association ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Dexian ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Columbia Bank ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2024
- Eaton Corporation ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- First Interstate Bank ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2024
- Flux Marine Ltd. ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Kroger ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- Legacy Health ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- PepsiCo ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
How Portland Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Portland State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Portland State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,552/year ($38,208 total). Graduates earn $57,906 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,510,618 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,472,410 (39.5× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 53% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $38,208
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,510,618
- Net Return
- $1,472,410
- ROI Multiple
- 39.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,552
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Portland State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Portland State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.01%, among the highest in the country. About 8.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.01%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 24.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $118,067
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 14/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 43/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 45/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Portland State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 18% $60,639 early-career
- Social Sciences 11% $43,143 early-career
- Psychology 9% $35,844 early-career
- Health Professions 7% $34,080 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7% $52,305 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $95,276 early-career
- Engineering 6% $90,849 early-career
- Humanities 5% $30,761 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Portland State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Portland State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Portland, Oregon, Portland State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 21. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Portland State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Portland State University is $31,074, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,552. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,655 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is Portland State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Portland State University earn a median of $57,906, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Portland State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Portland State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.01%, among the highest in the country. About 8.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Portland State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Portland State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Portland State University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Portland State University at #501-600 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 14/100, teaching at 17/100, and citation impact of 43/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Portland State University.
- California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson, CA · Close peer45% grad $57,162 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI · Close peer57% grad $58,612 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA · Close peer54% grad $62,908 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer54% grad $55,198 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN · Close peer54% grad $56,922 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Houston-DowntownHouston, TX · Close peer33% grad $53,551 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Portland State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Portland State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note