Portland State University
Portland, Oregon · Public · 90.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 69/100 · Fair Value
Portland State University scores 69 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale — an urban public research university in Portland, OR with 13,182 enrolled undergraduates. The score reflects a 7.8-year payback period, a 60.0% earnings premium, a 0.534 debt-to-earnings ratio, a 52.7% completion rate, and a 63.3% repayment rate at 7 years. Net price of $9,552 is among the lowest in this dataset for a four-year institution — in-state tuition of $11,679 with net price well below that reflects substantial need-based aid and grant funding. Median 6-year earnings of $38,400 are modest for a public university in a major tech market, reflecting PSU's wide program mix weighted toward lower-earning fields. The engineering programs are genuinely strong: Computer Science (160 grads, $78,669 year-one, grade B), Electrical Engineering (57 grads, $82,853 year-one, grade B), and Mechanical Engineering (75 grads, $73,079 year-one, grade B) all earn B grades. At the low end, Fine and Studio Arts (41 grads, $20,866 year-one, grade F), Music (20 grads, $17,638 year-one, grade F), Liberal Arts (233 grads, $23,253 year-one, grade F), and History (47 grads, $24,612 year-one, grade F) all fail. Psychology (350 grads, $33,179 year-one, grade D) is PSU's largest program and a major drag on institutional averages. Social Sciences General (275 grads, $35,093 year-one, grade D) similarly weighs heavily on the median.
Portland State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,679/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $31,074/yr |
| Average net price | $9,552/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $38,208 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,906 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 52.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 13,182 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Portland State University is $11,679/year ($31,074/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $9,552/year, or roughly $38,208 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,655/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,112/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $217 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $57,906 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.53 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,655 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,752 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,981 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,993 |
| $110,001+ | $19,112 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $7,655 per year at PSU — one of the lowest net prices in this dataset for a four-year institution. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $7,752, nearly the same. For low-income Oregon students, PSU offers access to a Portland-area degree at a cost comparable to many community colleges. The 52.7% completion rate is the central risk. For CS, engineering, or finance students in this bracket, the cost-to-outcome ratio is exceptional. For liberal arts, social sciences, or arts students, even $7,655 per year produces a weak payback relative to the D and F grade outcomes.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $8,981 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $12,993. The gradual increases maintain PSU's low-cost positioning through the middle-income range. At $9,000-$13,000 per year, PSU's engineering and business programs offer outstanding value for Portland metro students. The repayment rate of 63.3% at 7 years is lower than the payback math would suggest — indicating that some graduates, particularly in low-earning programs, are not making consistent progress on their debt.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $19,112 per year at PSU — a four-year total near $76,000. At this price, PSU competes with University of Oregon and Oregon State for in-state students, and with Western Washington University for border-state students. For high-income families, PSU's advantage is primarily for students who want to be in Portland and who are entering engineering, CS, or finance. For arts, humanities, and social science students, the same $76,000 total cost buys outcomes that are weaker than comparable public universities in the Pacific Northwest.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Portland State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $49,063 | D |
| Social Sciences, General | $52,562 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $71,621 | C+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $50,949 | F |
| Marketing | $61,499 | C+ |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $59,961 | C+ |
| Biology | $54,934 | D |
| Computer Science | $113,889 | B |
| Accounting | $77,226 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,109 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is PSU's strongest program by volume and outcome: 160 graduates, $78,669 year-one, $113,889 at year four, grade B on $31,000 debt. PSU's CS program benefits directly from Portland's growing technology sector and the presence of Intel, Nike, and Adidas headquartered in the metro. Year-one earnings of $78,669 and a year-four trajectory to $113,889 are strong at any price point — at a $9,552 net price, CS graduates at PSU recover their $31,000 median debt in under one year of post-graduation earnings. This is the clearest value case in PSU's portfolio.
Psychology
Psychology earns a D grade: 350 graduates — PSU's largest program — at $33,179 year-one, $49,063 at year four, debt-to-earnings 0.738 on $24,499 median debt. At $33,179 in Portland's high-cost-of-living metro, psychology graduates face real financial pressure in their early years. The D grade reflects that even at PSU's very low net price, the earnings premium from a psychology bachelor's is modest relative to the debt burden. Psychology at PSU is a graduate-school pipeline; students without plans for licensed clinical or counseling training are entering a labor market where the bachelor's alone does not produce competitive earnings.
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Liberal Arts earns an F grade: 233 graduates, $23,253 year-one, $50,949 at year four, debt-to-earnings 1.301 on $30,250 median debt. Year-one median earnings of $23,253 in Portland are below what a full-time minimum wage worker earns in Oregon. The F grade reflects a debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0 and year-one earnings that do not cover monthly debt payments for most graduates. The year-four figure of $50,949 shows meaningful career growth, but the first several years post-graduation are financially constrained. Students who select Liberal Arts at PSU should have a specific professional plan — the general degree does not produce marketable credentials in Portland's competitive labor market.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 55.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 63.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 63.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 90.9% |
| Enrollment | 13,182 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 41.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,893 |
PSU's 90.9% admission rate is near-open enrollment. No standardized test ranges are reported. PSU operates as Portland's urban access university, serving students who would not otherwise attend a four-year institution. Prospective students should focus evaluation on which program they intend to enter — PSU's program spread is the widest in this dataset, from Fine Arts (F grade, $20,866 year-one) to Computer Engineering (B grade, $87,259 year-one). The same $9,552 net price buys extremely different outcomes depending on major selection. Students should not assume that PSU's overall ROI of 69 applies uniformly — it does not.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
PSU's Scorecard peer schools are Eastern Oregon University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Western Washington University, and Oakland University — a grouping of regional urban and access-focused publics. Among Oregon institutions, the most relevant comparison is University of Oregon (higher prestige, higher cost) and Oregon State (stronger STEM programs). PSU's ROI of 69 reflects its unique urban access mission — it serves a population that larger, more selective Oregon publics do not, and it does so at a price point that is meaningfully lower than either. For engineering and CS students committed to staying in Portland, PSU's combination of Portland tech sector recruiting, low net price, and program outcomes makes it highly competitive.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State University (this school) | 69 | $9,552 | $57,906 |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | 83 | $15,706 | $72,273 |
| Western Washington University | 72 | $21,193 | $62,569 |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | 71 | $8,615 | $57,162 |
| Oakland University | 71 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| Eastern Oregon University | 43 | $17,148 | $50,112 |
Who Thrives Here
Portland State admits 90.9% of applicants. The Scorecard does not report standardized test score ranges. With 13,182 enrolled undergraduates and a 41.7% Pell grant rate, PSU serves a diverse, heavily urban student body — many students are working adults, commuters, and transfers from Oregon community colleges. The institution's open-access mission and downtown Portland location make it a non-traditional student-friendly environment. The 52.7% completion rate is particularly notable in this context: PSU's student population includes a significant share of part-time and adult learners whose completion timelines differ from traditional undergraduates. Students entering engineering, CS, or finance will find PSU's low net price a significant advantage in the Portland tech economy.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Portland State University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $9,552 per year leads to $38,208 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $57,906 a decade out. The payback period of 7.8 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows a 52.7% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $20,500 against $57,906 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.