Portland State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Portland State University was $9,315 a year for in-state students and $28,215 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams feel scary, remember, the displayed price of tuition does not always tell the full story. Many students owe a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 28,215 per year for tuition at Portland State University.

Portland State University meets 55.32% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Portland State University full-time are awarded $12,561.82 a year in financial aid, on average.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $24,172 of debt.

Does Portland State University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Portland State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $9,315 for in-state students who attend full-time. For non-Oregon residents, out-of-state tuition is $28,215 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as Oregon residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to check your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Oregon colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Portland State University?

Portland State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Portland State University usually pay around $28,215 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Portland State University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Portland State University:

•Loans from outsidePortland State University •Athletic Awards •Portland State University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Portland State University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Portland State University.

House and Food Costs at Portland State University

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Portland State University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area might be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Portland State University campus is located in a city in Oregon, not far from Portland.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Financial Breakdown for Portland State University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Portland State University.

Total Cost of Portland State University

What will the cost of attending Portland State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$9,315
Out-of-State Tuition	$28,215

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Portland State University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for both full and part-time students

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Portland State University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 7,950 of the 16,862 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Portland State University meets 55.32% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $12,561.82 a year. Around 51% of Portland State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Portland State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $24,172 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,068
Private Loans	$33,560

Most Common Loans for Portland State University Students
Federal Loans	50%
Private loans	7%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Portland State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Portland State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Portland State University awarded 6,391 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $63.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.87 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Portland State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Portland State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Portland State University was $12,561.82 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Portland State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-15,808.64
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-3,246.82
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$15,653.18

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Portland State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Portland State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Portland State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Portland State University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Portland State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Portland State University's endowment was $99.1 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $10,781 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Portland State University

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Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Portland State University:

Overview

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