Portland State University boasts its cultural diversity with nearly 4.9% international students from 50 states and 78 countries, India is one of the top countries represented. It is one of the most diverse universities to study in USA according to Niche. In terms of diversity, Portland State is among the top 10 most LGBTQ-friendly campuses in the U.S. as per the Campus Pride Index.
Portland State University offers over 200 programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through 10 schools and colleges. More than 100 programs are provided by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Over 40 programs are offered at the College of Education which is Oregon’s most comprehensive school of education. All students of the university complete hands-on community projects before graduation and therefore ranks no. 5 in the U.S. for service learning. It has been named one of the most innovative universities in the country in the U.S. News. Portland State has a good reputation among institutions of the U.S. education system.
Portland State University Rankings
- #288 in National Universities (tie) by US News 2022
- #29 in Most Innovative Schools (tie) by US News 2022
- #51 in Top Performers on Social Mobility by US News 2022
- #1001-1200 in QS World Rankings 2022
Highlights
| University Type | Public |
| Establishment Year | 1946 |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Endowment | 77 Million USD |
| Mode of Program | Full-time/ part-time |
| Total no. of programs | 203 |
| Student-faculty ratio | 21:1 |
| Campus Housing Capacity | 60% |
| Student Retention Rate | 74% |
| Admission Helpdesk | 503-725-3000 |
Portland State University Campus
- Portland State University campus is built across a 50-acre land section in southwest downtown Portland.
- The campus of the university is situated against the beautiful site of West Hills.
- The university’s central buildings are located across the SW Broadway to provide the students a pathway and exempt them from walking through the streets.
- There are 50 buildings on the campus of PSU and 10 residential properties for student accommodation.
- There are more than 150 student-run clubs and organizations that encourage student participation on campus.
- The university is known to be strategically located in the University District and is among the safest college campuses.
- The university participates in 15 NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports and is a member of the Big Sky Conference.
Portland State University Residence
- Both undergraduate and graduate students at Portland State University are eligible for on-campus housing facilities offered by the university.
- The University has in total eight housing halls located on campus and furnished with all utilities and facilities.
- As a matter of fact, students who live on campus graduate within 4 years and with higher grades than those who stay off-campus.
- Freshmen students are assigned a place in Broadway and Ondine Studios.
- It is essential for all first-year students to attach a meal plan to their housing contract.
- Rooms have basic furniture that include XL twin bed, dresser, desk and chair.
- The on-campus accommodation provides lounges on every floor, computer labs and classrooms, laundry facilities, high speed internet, small refrigerator, etc.
- However due to Covid-19, the on-campus housing is temporarily closed for Portland State University.
- Students who do not wish to live on campus, can choose off campus housing in the US near the premises of the university.
Portland State University Courses
- Over 200 degree programs are offered at Portland State University with a choice of 111 bachelor’s, 76 masters, and 24 doctoral degrees.
- Some of the most popular undergraduate majors at the university include Psychology, Biology, Computer Science, Accounting, and Marketing.
- Among the top graduate, majors are Social Work, Education, Computer Science, Education Leadership and Policy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, etc.
- The Graduate School of the university is well-known for its programs in social work, urban policy, public affairs, business, and healthcare management.
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is a result of the collaboration of 2 of the top universities, Oregon Health & Science University and Portland State University.
Portland State University Application Process
The acceptance rate of Portland State University was 96% in the Fall of 2019 which makes it easier to get selected and the applicant only needs to be eligible for the program they are applying for. International applicants must carefully go through all the requirements for admission to the Portland State University to be eligible. The process and requirements for international student admissions are discussed below:
Application Portal: Portland State University Online Application system
Application Fee: 52 USD
Admission Requirements:
- Official high school/ college transcripts
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on 4.0
- Personal Essay
- Letter of Recommendation
- Standardized test scores to study in the U.S.
- Resume
- Writing sample
- Portfolio
- Bank statement
English Language Proficiency Score Requirements
The minimum score requirements are given in the table below:
Portland State University Cost of Attendance
The expenses for studying in the U.S. constitute tuition fees as well as other costs of books and supplies, food, housing, transportation and personal expenses. The cost of attendance for international students at Portland State University is given in the table below:
| Expense | UG Amount (in USD) | PG Amount (in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | 29,286 | 676 (Base Tuition) |
| Books and Supplies | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| Meals and Housing | 12,144 | 12,144 |
| Personal Expenses | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Transportation | 1,350 | 1,350 |
Portland State University Scholarships/Financial Aid
- Portland State University also offers various scholarships to students who portray excellent academic records.
- 65% of the students receive financial aid in some form.
- On average a student receives 11,377 USD through various financial aid options.
- Portland State University offers more than 400 scholarships to admitted students on the basis of their academic performance.
- The University will provide financial aid to those admitted students who are in need due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
- The University will be accepting applications from August 2020 for the students who are seeking financial aid whereas the scholarship applications are accepted from October to February each year.
- Some scholarships commonly awarded to international students are given in the table below:
| Name of Scholarship | Eligibility Criteria | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| International Achievement Scholarship | Applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship; Eligible candidates usually have a GPA of 3.5 on 4.0 | 4,500 USD annually |
| University Honors College Scholarship | Awarded to new as well as transfer students on the basis of academic merit; Applicants are automatically considered on the basis of admission application. | 3,000 USD annually |
| Out-of-State Opportunity Scholarship | Incoming freshmen and transfer applicants are eligible for this award; the amount of scholarship is determined on the basis of residency status, academic merit and supporting documents submitted along with the application. | 10,000 USD annually |
International students can use external scholarships for studying in the U.S. for which resources can be found through Fastweb scholarship database, scholarship.com, scholarship America, UNCF, etc.
Portland State University Alumni Network
The Portland State University has a strong network of more than 178,600 active alumni members across the world. Alumni get several benefits from their membership in the association. Some of these include:
- AAA membership at a discount
- Invitation to shop at Adidas Employee Store and Columbia Sportswear Employee Store at least twice every year
- PSU alumni insurance program at a discount
- Discounts on Dell computers and accessories
- Travel discounts and savings from Local Hospitality
- Invitation to shop at Nike company store
- Free admission to 5th Avenue Cinema
- Membership to Rec Center at a discount
- Membership to PSU bike club
- Access to university library
Some notable alumni of the university include:
- Phil Knight, Co-Founder and Chairman of Nike
- Francisco Laguna Correa, Writer
- John Sibley Williams, Poet
- David James Duncan, Novelist
- Jill Mikucki, Antarctic Researcher
- Rob Simonson, Film Composer
Portland State University Placements
Some of the top employers of Portland State graduates are Intel, Nike, Amazon, Apple, Google, Adidas, Daimler Trucks, Columbia Sportswear, OHSU, etc. The median salary of university graduates is estimated to be 51,000 USD within one year after graduation.
| Job Title | Average Salary Package (USD) |
| Software Engineer | 88,560 |
| Graphic Designer | 45,402 |
| Human Resources (HR) Manager | 71,388 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 68,887 |
Graduates have access to the Handshake portal where various on-campus positions, internships and jobs in the U.S. are posted throughout the year. The Career Services at the university offers a range of services to students and alumni such as help with writing resumes, CV and cover letters, job search resources, interview preparation, advice for writing personal statements, help in choosing the right graduate school, and applying for admission, etc.
FAQs
Ques. What GPA is required for admission to Portland State University?
Ans. The average high school GPA of 3.47 is required for admission to Portland State University.
Ques. What is Portland State University known for?
Ans. Portland State University is known as one of most innovative universities in the U.S. according to the U.S. News and World Report 2022. It is also one of the most diverse institutions and an affordable research university.
Ques. What are the requirements for admission into undergraduate courses?
Ans. TOEFL scores, Secondary school records like transcripts, Secondary School GPA are required for undergraduate admissions.
Ques. Is Portland State University test-optional?
Ans. Yes, Portland State University is test-optional. SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission decisions.
Ques. How much is the tuition fee at Portland State University?
Ans. The tuition fee for international undergraduates is 29,001 USD and for graduates it is 25,797 USD.
Ques. What percent of international students are enrolled in Portland State University?
Ans. Around 5% of the total student population at Portland State University is international.
Ques. Are there any financial aid options for international students at Portland State University?
Ans. Yes. International students are subjected to financial aid provided that they fulfil the eligibility of scholarships, International students also get financial aid in form of grants. Almost 65% students studying in Portland State University get financial aid out of which 42% get grants or scholarships.
Ques. What is the application fee for undergraduate students applying to Portland State University?
Ans. Application fee for International Students is USD 50. It has been waived for Undergraduate students through 15 June.
Ques. How can students apply for admission to Portland State University?
Ans. Applicants can apply through https://www.pdx.edu/admissions/apply-psu
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Portland State University comparison
| University Name | Portland State University | Oregon State University | Oregon State University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.7 Out of 10 | - |
| Overall Ranking |
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| Subject Strength |
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| Programs |
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| Acceptance Rate | 89.4 % | 77.5 % | - |
| Exam Score | - | ||
| Cost to Study |
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| - | Read Full Comparison | Read Full Comparison |
Portland State University Student Profiles
Portland State University Reviews
Most Popular Tags
3 Reviews Found
Overview:
Beautiful campus with a very diverse population of people, this school offered the courses I wanted to take as a college student. The faculty was incredible in their teachings and the rec was stunning. The community was very accepting of those who are different because it is a liberal city.
Fees:
Tuition fees and Greek life fees, there are fees for club sports and then you must pay for your own groceries and living expenses. Living in the dorms is actually very expensive and you can find cheaper housing elsewhere.
Overview:
The main reason was that I really wanted to be in Portland, Oregon and Portland State University is the only public university in Portland. I really liked their biology program and their sustainability program too. The school also had a relationship with Oregon Health & Science University where I wanted to attend graduate school.
Fees:
We paid for courses based on the number of credits we were enrolled in. We didn't have to pay for tuition in full at the beginning of the semester in order to stay in the class but we did have to enroll in the schools' payment plan. The payment plan was very reasonable and was helpful to me when paying for classes. We would have a student health fee, facility fees, course-specific fees, etc. The student health insurance plan was around $800 per trimester but students could opt out by signing a waiver showing insurance coverage at the beginning of the term.
Overview:
Less fees and great career opportunities, lot of Indians and I can do internship after 9 months of stay in USA which not many universities allow
Fees:
$42,000
Portland State University Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation in Education Scholarship - La Tutors 123 | Scholarship per student₹ 41,445/Yr$500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| (ISC)² Women’s Cybersecurity Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 3.3 L/Yr$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based | |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 1.2 L/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 1.7 L/Yr$2,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Collegedunia $150 Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student₹ 12,434/Yr$150 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
FAQs
Ques. I have admits from Portland state university and san jose state university, which should I choose for MS in electrical engineering?
Ques. Is it difficult to get into Portland State University?
Ques. Is it worth going to University of Massachusetts Amherst by paying double instead of Portland State University in areas of Embedded Systems for Masters of Science in ECE?
Ques. Should I attend San Jose State University or Portland State University for Computer Science if I'll receive cheap tuition at both? Why?
Portland State University Admissions
Application Portal: https://www.pdx.edu/admissions/apply-to-psu
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Portland State University Exam Scores
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24494 | 12820 | 11674 | 726 |
Portland State University Campus Location
Nearby This Campus
- Book Store
- Shopping Mall
- Super Market
- Airport
Book Store
Super Market
Shopping Mall
Airport
● All distance are measured radially. Actual distance may vary
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