Pacific vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with Portland State University in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Portland State University is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 3,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific University 10:1; Portland State University 17:1.

Pacific vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific or Portland State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Portland State University than Pacific ($10,195 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 12.1% lower than at Pacific University ($13,728 vs. $15,620).
• Pacific University is 382.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $44,695 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.4% higher at Pacific than at Portland State University (about $25,300 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $31,074.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University than at Portland State University (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 249.4% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($37,139 vs. $10,629).

Pacific vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific or Portland State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Portland State University and Pacific.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Portland State University (1130) is 60 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming Pacific students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 900/1240; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 18/29; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than Pacific (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

Pacific vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific and Portland State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $3,522 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($22,634 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($234 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.