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Portland State University

Portland, United States

  • Cost of Living$ 20,928
  • Tuition Fee From$ 14,220
  • Country Rank#265
  • Batch Strength19,576
  • Global Diversity7%
  • Gender Ratio56:44

Overview

About

Portland State University (PSU) is a public research university in Portland, Oregon. It began as a post-secondary educational school for World War II veterans in 1946. Over the next two decades, it grew into a four-year institution and was given university status in 1969. It is the only public institution in Oregon that is located in a major metropolitan area. The university is governed by a Board of Trustees and is categorised as "R2: Doctoral Universities with High Research Activity." The mission of the university is to improve the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic qualities of urban life by providing access to quality liberal education for undergraduates and an appropriate array of professional and graduate programs, particularly those relevant to metropolitan areas, throughout the life span.

Portland State University’s acceptance rate stands at 98% indicating that its admissions process is relatively easy for overseas students. The university is administered by 7 colleges, which provide undergraduate and graduate studies in 123 different subjects. Some of PSU’s major schools or departments are listed below -

  • Business Administration

  • Education

  • Social Work

  • Urban & Public Affairs

  • Arts

  • Engineering & Computer Science

  • Liberal Arts & Sciences

There are more than 70 master's programs, more than 20 doctorate courses, and more than 30 graduate certificate programs. Doctoral studies are available in the following fields: mathematics, chemistry, biology, applied physics, applied psychology, engineering and technology, sociology, and mechanical engineering. PSU's entire academic infrastructure is remarkable. There are outstanding labs and libraries, as well as skilled teaching faculty, academic expedition facilities, and high-tech classrooms, halls, and auditoriums. PSU is regarded as the most unique of Oregon's public colleges, with an exceptional placement record.

Students come from all 50 states and over 84 countries. The top states represented at the institution are Washington, California, and Hawaii, while the top countries are Saudi Arabia, China, and India. The university campus is set on 49 acres in downtown Portland's University District. It consists of 50 educational buildings and ten residential student housing sites. The institution has about 165,000 alumni, with more than half residing in the Portland region. PSU students and professors are encouraged to 'take the classroom to the community' by collaborating with local organisations to address civic, community, and environmental issues.

University Name Portland State University
Official Website https://www.pdx.edu/
Year of Establishment 1946
Average Living Cost $23,856
Total No. of International Students 18,763
University Type Public
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Ranking

US News & World Report 2024:

Portland State University achieved a notable position on the global stage, securing #1,049 position.


QS World University Ranking 2024:

Portland State University has shown excellence by securing 801–1000 spot on the global scale.


Portland State University's rankings in the global universities category have risen since 2020. THE Rankings, QS Rankings, US News, and other top-ranking organisations have rated the university based on a set of widely recognised metrics. Because of its well-recognised rankings, the institution is ranked among the top public universities in Portland, attracting students from all over the world. The university was among the top 5 schools in the service learning category according to US News. Some of the university's notable ranking highlights are listed here -

  • THE University Rankings 2022 - #801 - 1000
  • US News & World Report National Rankings 2022 - #284
  • US News Most Innovative Schools 2022 - #29
  • US News Top Performers on Social Mobility 2022 - #51
  • Forbes America’s Top Colleges List 2022 - #532
  • Wall Street Journal/THE College Rankings 2022 - #401 - 500
  • Washington Monthly National University Rankings 2022 - #129

 

Course-Wise Rankings

Some of the ranked and widely opted courses at PSU include business, management, marketing, engineering, social sciences, health professions courses, and more. These courses have been recognised by platforms such as US News, THE Rankings, QS Rankings, and more. Popular course rankings at Portland State University include -

Business Courses

  • THE PG Business & Economics 2022 - #501 - 600
  • US News - Graduate Business School 2022 - #110 - 143
  • US News - UG Business 2022 - #212

Engineering Courses

  • THE PG Engineering & Technology 2022 - #801 - 1000
  • US News - PG Civil Engineering 2022 - #107
  • US News PG Electrical Engineering 2022 - #146

Computers Courses

  • THE PG Computers 2022 - #601 - 800
  • US News PG Computer Engineering 2022 - #105

Science Courses

  • THE Psychology Rankings 2022 - #301 - 400

Humanities Courses

  • THE Arts & Humanities Rankings 2022 - #501+

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

#1201 - 1400

#1049

2022

#1001 - 1200

#1049

Facilities

University students can participate in a variety of activities and organisations, such as the choir, theatrical groups, a school newspaper, a radio station, and others. The majority of students reside on campus and make proper use of the Portland State University facilities. Furthermore, the university features a number of fraternities and sororities, as well as a wealth of athletic opportunities for students. The following are some of the top amenities provided by the university -

  • Campus Newspaper

  • Radio Station

  • University Athletics

  • Counseling

  • Chorus & Theatre Groups

  • Health Clinic

  • Career Planning

  • Late-Night Transport/Escort

Notable Alumni

Mark Dacascos
Mark Dacascos
American Actor
Travis Knight
Travis Knight
CEO of Laika
Bree Schaaf
Bree Schaaf
American Racer

Courses

Admission

Portland State University Entry Requirements

International students make up around 4.2% of the overall enrolment at PSU. Applications are accepted for the following semesters: fall, summer, spring, and winter. Every year, a large number of overseas students apply to the university's numerous programs. The Portland State University entry requirements for international students vary slightly from those for domestic students. Aside from standard admission criteria, candidates must additionally meet country requirements based on their country of origin. Prior to application, students should check the university website to ensure that they meet all of the criteria. The following are some of the most typical prerequisites that students must consider -

  • A fully-filled online application form
  • Academic transcripts from previously attended educational institutions 
  • Official transcripts not in English must be attached with the certified English translations
  • Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 i.e. 83% to 86% in their previous two years of program
  • Standardised test scores of ACT/SAT or GRE/GMAT as per the course requirement
  • English Language Proficiency Scores - TOEFL iBT: 71 to 80; IELTS: 6.0 to 6.5
  • Fully completed 15 units of preparatory coursework with a Grade C or more
  • Country-specific Requirements
  • Any other course-specific requirements as mentioned on the university website

 

Portland State University Fees

Portland State is dedicated to offering great education at a reasonable price, as well as the possibilities and connections that come with being located in one of the country's most fascinating cities. The Portland State University fees are subject to change each year and must be approved by the Board of Trustees. PSU tuition is calculated depending on the number of credits taken, resident status, and undergraduate/graduate class standing. The following is a list of the university's best courses, along with the average yearly costs -

  • MS Mechanical Engineering - $15,483
  • MS Computer Science - $15,483
  • MS Engineering & Technology Management - $19,084
  • MS Civil & Environmental Engineering - $21,480
  • MS Statistics - $15,483
  • MBA - $36,132

 

Placements

More often than not, graduates make use of the Portland State University placements by joining the top recruiting companies that come to the company such as Intel, Nike, Amazon, Apple, Google, Adidas, Daimler Trucks, Columbia Sportswear, OHSU, etc. Graduates from the university earn a median salary estimated at $51,000 within one year of graduation. Graduates get access to the Handshake platform, where they may search for on-campus employment, internships, and jobs throughout the year. The university's Career Services department provides a variety of services to students and alumni, including assistance with writing resumes, CVs, and cover letters, job search resources, interview preparation, advice on writing personal statements, assistance in selecting the right graduate school and applying for admission, and so on. Some of the popular job positions along with the respective average salaries gained by graduates and alumni are as follows -

  • Software Engineer - $88,560
  • Graphic Designer - $45,402
  • Human Resources Manager - $71,388
  • Mechanical Engineer - $68,887

Scholarship

Regardless of the program you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the university as well as other organizations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the Portland State University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:

 

  • Merit-based scholarships

  • Need-based scholarships

  • Country-specific scholarships

  • College-specific scholarships

  • Student-specific scholarships

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the Portland State University. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Portland State University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

 

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

Cost of Living

Portland, Oregon is a fun city to live, work, and study in. It's why Niche called Portland State University one of the best college cities in the country. PSU's downtown campus is located in the heart of a bustling city and is within a short distance from both snow-capped peaks and the Pacific Ocean. The cost of living in Portland is determined by a variety of factors, including housing rent, food and supplies, transportation, clothes, utility bills, and more. See the table below to know the monthly costs of living in Portland as an international student -

Particulars

Cost (Monthly)

Off-Campus Accommodation 

$1,033

On-Campus Accommodation

$1,650

Transportation

$130

Food Cost

$375

Utility Cost

$164

Entertainment

$48

Groceries

$60

Clothes

$98

Health Insurance

$80

Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation 

$1,988

Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation 

$2,605

Annual Cost of Living

$23,856

FAQs