ASU vs. Portland State University

Should I go to Appalachian State University or Portland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU or Portland State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Appalachian State University vs. Portland State University comparison
Appalachian State University Portland State University College 3 College 4
Appalachian State University Portland State University
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Overview

ASU Portland State University
Location Boone, NC Portland, OR
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 20,436 21,609
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #594 #730
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website appstate.edu pdx.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ASU Portland State University
Tuition (In State) $4,242 $9,000
Tuition (Out of State) $20,246 $27,900
Room & Board $11,582 $14,940
Avg Net Price $13,084 $16,273
Avg Grant Aid $7,443 $9,750
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 86%

Admission

ASU Portland State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,255 7,926
Admitted 18,489 7,378
Acceptance Rate 83.1% 93.1%
Enrolled % 21.2% 22.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.96 3.36
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 17/24
SAT Range 1100/1270 1000/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

ASU Portland State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

ASU Portland State University
Graduation Rate 65% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $22,634
Median Loan Payment $211 $234

Diversity

ASU Portland State University
% Men 42% 42%
% Women 58% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 85% 59%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 12%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

ASU Portland State University
% In-State 87% 78%
% Out-of-State 13% 20%

Campus

ASU Portland State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Portland State University is larger than than ASU based on total student enrollment (21,609 students vs. 20,436 students)

ASU vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Portland State University?

  • Portland State University is 112.2% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($9,000.00 vs. $4,242.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.8% higher at Portland State University than Appalachian State University ($27,900.00 vs. $20,246.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Appalachian State University than Portland State University ($13,084 vs. $16,273)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 29% lower than costs at Portland State University ($11,582 vs. $14,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Portland State University than Appalachian State University (86% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 31% larger than aid received Appalachian State University ($9,750 vs. $7,443)

ASU vs. Portland State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or Portland State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Portland State University or ASU .

  • The average SAT score at Appalachian State University (1157) is 118 points higher than at Portland State University (1039)
  • Incoming ASU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Portland State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Portland State University (3.36)
  • Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than ASU (83.1%)

ASU vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU or Portland State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Portland State University and ASU.

  • The graduation rate at ASU is higher than Portland State University (65% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Portland State University earn on average $7,000 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $41,600)
  • Appalachian State University students graduate with a $2,134 lower median federal student loan debt than Portland State University graduates. ($20,500 vs. $22,634)
  • ASU graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Portland State University graduates. ($211 vs. $234)
  • More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/