Portland State University

Portland, OR

Public midsize campus City: Large 13,182 undergrads

Affordability & debt

Average net price
$9,552per year, after aid
Undergraduates with a federal loan
32%
Undergraduates receiving a Pell grant
42%need-based, not repaid
Typical debt at graduation
$20,500federal loans, students who finished
Reducing their balance within 3 years
54%of borrowers who entered repayment

What that debt costs to repay. Typical debt here is about $20,500. At 7% over 10 years — the standard federal plan — that is roughly $238 a month, about $28,563 repaid in total, of which $8,063 is interest.

Stretch the same balance over 25 years and the payment drops to $145 a month — but the total climbs to $43,467, roughly $14,904 more in interest. A smaller payment is not a smaller loan.

An estimate, not financial advice: straight amortization at a fixed rate, ignoring fees, interest accrued while enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Figures on this page are averages and medians — what any one family borrows and pays varies widely. Try your own numbers.

Portland State University’s net price calculator — every college is required to publish one. It is the only way to get a cost estimate based on your family’s own finances rather than an average.

Published tuition

In-state tuition
$11,679published rate
Out-of-state tuition
$31,074published rate

The sticker price before any aid. Most students pay less than this — the net price above is what aided students actually paid on average.

Admissions

Acceptance rate
91%
Average ACT
21of admitted students

Context for the class as a whole, not a prediction about any one applicant.

Outcomes

Median earnings
$57,90610 years after entry

Median earnings of former students who received federal aid, measured 10 years after they started.

Campus life

Campus setting
City: Large
Residential character
Primarily commuter — most students live off campus

Most common fields of study

  • Business & marketing18%
  • Social sciences11%
  • Psychology9%
  • Health professions7%
  • Visual & performing arts7%
  • Computer & information sciences6%

Share of degrees awarded, by broad field.

Athletics

NCAA Division I-FCS

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

What borrowing would really cost

Starting from the typical debt at Portland State University. Change any figure to see your own.

Federal undergraduate loans have recently been near 7%. Private loans are often higher.

Standard plan — 10 years

$238per month

Total repaid
$28,563
Interest paid
$8,063

Longer term — 25 years

$145per month

Total repaid
$43,467
Interest paid
$22,967

Borrow $20,500 and repay it over 25 years instead of 10, and you pay $14,904 more — $43,467 in all, about 2.1× what you borrowed. The monthly payment is smaller; the loan is not.

An estimate, not financial advice. Straight amortization at a fixed rate: it assumes every payment is made on time and the rate never changes, and it leaves out fees, interest that accrues while you’re still enrolled, and any forgiveness or income-driven plan. Planning4College is not a financial advisor and sells no loans. Check real terms with your school’s financial aid office and studentaid.gov.

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Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the Equity in Athletics survey. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year available and may be out of date or incomplete — confirm anything decision-critical with the college directly. Official site: Portland State University.