Portland State University combines open access with solid economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university serves 39.6% Pell-eligible and 59.6% transfer students while maintaining manageable debt levels and delivering consistent earnings growth for graduates across diverse backgrounds.
Typical outcomes when considering the institution's student demographics and program mix
Controlled net prices and moderate debt levels relative to peer institutions
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisPortland State University delivers solid earnings outcomes while maintaining exceptional affordability and access. Graduates earn a median of $57,906 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 65th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $33,117 at the 25th percentile to $85,203 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines and the institution's diverse program offerings. Low-income graduates earn $47,300, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking affordable access to higher education with strong economic mobility outcomes. Particularly well-suited for first-generation (39.1%) and Pell-eligible students (39.6%) who want an accessible urban public university with demonstrated upward earnings potential.
Portland State University's Mobility Engine designation reflects its ability to serve diverse student backgrounds while delivering earnings growth above typical expectations.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Portland State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/portland-state-university/analysis.
Mobility Engine with exceptional access
Portland State University ranks #189 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 92.6th percentile. Located in Portland, Oregon, this large public university maintains open access with a 90.9% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
Portland State University enrolls 39.6% Pell-eligible students and 39.1% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational access for underrepresented populations. The institution also serves a substantial transfer population, with 59.6% of students transferring from other institutions, reflecting its role as a pathway for non-traditional students.
Graduates earn a median of $57,906 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 65th percentile nationally. While earnings fall $8,542 below expectations based on student demographics, this positions Portland State University within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions combine high access with solid economic outcomes for diverse student populations.
Portland State University maintains an open access approach with a 90.9% admission rate, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the institution significantly above the peer median admission rate of 78.1%, reflecting its commitment to broad educational access rather than selective enrollment.
The university's admission policy prioritizes opportunity over exclusivity, making it accessible to students with varied academic backgrounds and preparation levels. This high acceptance rate creates favorable conditions for students seeking guaranteed admission to a four-year institution, including those who may not meet more selective admission standards elsewhere.
For prospective students, this means Portland State University serves as both a primary choice for local students and a reliable backup option for those building comprehensive college lists. The institution's accessibility extends beyond admission rates to serve substantial populations of transfer students (59.6%) and non-traditional learners, positioning it as a pathway institution within Oregon's higher education landscape.
Students should view this high admission rate as an indicator of institutional mission rather than academic quality, as outcomes data demonstrates the university's effectiveness in serving diverse populations.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Portland State University maintains strong affordability relative to peer institutions, with a published cost of attendance of $22,449 per year. This includes $11,238 in in-state tuition, $30,138 for out-of-state students, $13,728 for room and board, and $798 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $12,932 compared to the peer median of $15,590, representing savings of $2,658 annually. Financial aid effectiveness is demonstrated through average savings of $9,517 per student, reducing the published cost by more than 40%.
This affordability profile reflects the institution's public mission and commitment to accessible higher education. Net prices vary by family income, ranging from $11,558 for the lowest-income students to $19,412 for highest-income families, creating a progressive cost structure that supports students from diverse economic backgrounds.
The combination of moderate sticker prices and substantial financial aid creates favorable conditions for students seeking quality education without excessive financial burden. For families evaluating college costs, Portland State University offers predictable pricing below typical four-year institution levels, with particularly strong value for Oregon residents through in-state tuition rates.
Portland State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their careers. Median earnings rise from $46,937 six years after enrollment to $52,927 at eight years and $57,906 at ten years, representing 23.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts: 6,728 graduates at six years, 7,236 at eight years, and 7,660 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $2,637 less than the peer median of $60,543, reflecting the institution's focus on access and diverse programming rather than exclusively high-earning fields.
Low-income graduates earn $47,300, indicating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds despite the overall earnings gap. Earnings span from $33,117 at the 25th percentile to $85,203 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 23.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Computer Science.
179 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
64 graduates
Acoustics.
27 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
115 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
20 graduates
Portland State University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Computer Science leads in earnings at $109,690 annually, ranking #57 nationally and #1 in Oregon, with 179 graduates and a value score of 69.4.
Mechanical Engineering produces graduates earning $82,358, ranking #105 nationally and #2 in Oregon. Business programs show strong performance across multiple specializations: Business Administration ranks #89 nationally and #1 in Oregon with 339 graduates earning $64,643, while Digital Marketing ranks #83 nationally and #1 in Oregon with 209 graduates earning $58,587.
Executive/Career Coaching ranks #8 nationally and #1 in Oregon, graduating 134 students with median earnings of $64,967 and an exceptional value score of 87.7. Biological and Physical Sciences ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Oregon, graduating 159 students with median earnings of $49,200 and a value score of 80.0.
Psychology represents the institution's largest program by enrollment with 344 graduates.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Commonwealth University Similar quality tier (#186 ranked) | VA | 93% | $58,128 | #186 | Compare |
Middle Tennessee State University Similar quality tier (#184 ranked) | TN | 68% | $48,541 | #184 | Compare |
Iowa State University Similar quality tier (#192 ranked) | IA | 89% | $63,386 | #192 | Compare |
University Of Memphis Similar quality tier (#193 ranked) | TN | 93% | $48,458 | #193 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-Columbia Similar quality tier (#181 ranked) | MO | 77% | $63,403 | #181 | Compare |