Portland State University's published cost of attendance is $21,590, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,655 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $8,981, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,112.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $21,590 |
| Tuition and Fees | $31,074 |
| Room and Board | $13,728 |
| Books and Supplies | $732 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$12,038 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $9,552 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $7,655 |
| $30–48k | $7,752 |
| $48–75k | $8,981 |
| $75–110k | $12,993 |
| $110k+ | $19,112 |
Portland State University's published cost of attendance is $21,590, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,655 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $8,981, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,112. Azimuth ranks Portland State University #155 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Portland State participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and Oregon's robust state grant landscape — including the Oregon Opportunity Grant — provides meaningful additional support for qualifying residents. The gap between published cost and what most students actually pay reflects a combination of Pell Grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships, particularly for lower-income families. Families weighing sticker price against actual cost should review the net price illusion before drawing conclusions from the headline figure. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,859; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,060, median federal debt of $20,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $232 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Portland State University earn median earnings of $62,060 four years after enrollment, placing Portland State University in the 52.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure sits below the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $4,850 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 75.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures still represent lifetime returns relative to OR's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $33,492 — the state median earnings of working adults in their late twenties and early thirties with only a high school credential. Business is the dominant program family at Portland State University, accounting for 21% of degrees awarded, followed by Social Sciences at 12% and Arts at 6%. Business Administration combines the largest cohort scale with strong earnings, making it a key contributor to the institution's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #230 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 365 graduates earning median earnings of $49,063. The Business Administration program graduates 275 students with median earnings of $71,621, and Azimuth ranks Social Sciences #15 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 247 graduates earning median earnings of $52,562. General Studies and Digital Marketing round out the top programs, with median earnings of $50,949 and $61,499 respectively.
