Humboldt State University vs. Portland State University

Should I go to Humboldt State University or Portland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Humboldt State University 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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Humboldt State University vs. Portland State University comparison
Humboldt State University Portland State University College 3 College 4
Humboldt State University Portland State University
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Overview

Humboldt State University Portland State University
Location Arcata, CA Portland, OR
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 6,025 21,609
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #730
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu pdx.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University Portland State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $9,000
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $27,900
Room & Board $12,540 $14,940
Avg Net Price $14,325 $16,273
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $9,750
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 86%

Admission

Humboldt State University Portland State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 7,926
Admitted 8,350 7,378
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 93.1%
Enrolled % 11.5% 22.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 17/24
SAT Range 970/1190 1000/1250
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2025

Academics

Humboldt State University Portland State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University Portland State University
Graduation Rate 40% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $22,634
Median Loan Payment $201 $234

Diversity

Humboldt State University Portland State University
% Men 42% 42%
% Women 58% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 59%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 33% 12%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 6%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 7% 4%

Students

Humboldt State University Portland State University
% In-State 91% 78%
% Out-of-State 8% 20%

Campus

Humboldt State University 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 Humboldt State University based on total student enrollment (21,609 students vs. 6,025 students)

Humboldt State University vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Portland State University is 56.7% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($9,000.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.3% higher at Portland State University than Humboldt State University ($27,900.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than Portland State University ($14,325 vs. $16,273)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Humboldt State University are 19.1% lower than costs at Portland State University ($12,540 vs. $14,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Portland State University than Humboldt State University (86% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 5.3% larger than aid received Humboldt State University ($9,750 vs. $9,262)

Humboldt State University vs. Portland State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Humboldt State University 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 Humboldt State University .

  • The average SAT score at Portland State University (1039) is 49 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming Portland State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Portland State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Portland State University (93.1%)

Humboldt State University vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt State University 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 Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at Humboldt State University is higher than Portland State University (40% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Portland State University earn on average $9,600 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $39,000)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $3,134 lower median federal student loan debt than Portland State University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $22,634)
  • Humboldt State University graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Portland State University graduates. ($201 vs. $234)
  • More Humboldt State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

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