CostByCollegeAdmissions
Portland State University acceptance rate
The acceptance rate at Portland State University is 90.9% for fall 2023. Out of 8,877 applicants, 8,070 were admitted and 1,580 enrolled.
The application numbers
| Figure | Fall 2023 |
|---|---|
| Applicants, fall 2023 | 8,877 |
| Admitted, fall 2023 | 8,070 |
| Acceptance rate, fall 2023 | 90.9% |
| Admitted students who enrolled, fall 2023 | 1,580 |
How this rate compares
Against the Oregon pilot school average of 84.9%, the rate at Portland State University is 6.0 points higher, which means a larger share of applicants were admitted.
Against the national pilot school average of 53.0%, the rate at Portland State University is 37.9 points higher, which means a larger share of applicants were admitted.
Averages here are simple averages across the pilot schools that publish a rate, 3 schools in Oregon and 235 schools nationwide on this site.
What the acceptance rate does and does not mean
The acceptance rate is the share of applicants who were offered a place. It is worked out by dividing the number of students admitted by the number who applied, for fall 2023.
A low rate means many more people applied than the school could admit. It does not by itself prove that a school is better, that teaching is stronger, or that graduates earn more. Some schools draw very large applicant pools because applying is free or simple, and some excellent schools admit a large share of a smaller, well matched pool.
A high rate does not mean admission is automatic. Schools still set entry requirements, and popular programs inside a school can be far harder to enter than the overall rate suggests. The rate also says nothing about cost. Read it beside the total cost, the average net price, and the outcomes on the cost page for Portland State University.
Similar schools to compare
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Total cost $32,205 for one year.
- University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. Total cost $35,721 for one year.
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona. Total cost $29,680 for one year.
- Missouri State University-Springfield, Springfield, Missouri. Total cost $25,048 for one year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Portland State University?
The acceptance rate at Portland State University is 90.9% for fall 2023. It is the number admitted, 8,070, divided by the number who applied, 8,877.
How many students apply to Portland State University each year?
In fall 2023, 8,877 students applied to Portland State University, 8,070 were admitted, and 1,580 admitted students enrolled.
How selective is Portland State University compared with other schools in Oregon?
The average acceptance rate across the pilot schools in Oregon that publish a rate is 84.9%, and the national average across the pilot schools on this site is 53.0%. The rate at Portland State University is 90.9%.
Does a low acceptance rate mean a school is better?
No. A low rate means far more people applied than the school could admit. It says nothing on its own about teaching quality, cost, or graduate earnings, which is why this site prints the rate beside cost and outcomes figures.
How much does Portland State University cost?
The total cost for one year at Portland State University is $28,023 for in state students. The cost page on this site breaks that total into tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other expenses.
What is the graduation rate at Portland State University?
The graduation rate at Portland State University is 53%, measuring the share of a starting cohort that finished within one and a half times the normal program length.
Sources: the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, United States Department of Education. Admissions figures are for fall 2023. See the methodology page for full detail.