Portland Community College vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

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

Portland Community College is larger than Portland State University based on total student enrollment (20,861 students vs. 19,951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland Community College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Portland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Portland Community College 19:1; Portland State University 17:1.

Portland Community College vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland Community College 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 Community College than Portland State University ($9,372 vs. $10,195).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 11.2% lower than at Portland Community College ($13,728 vs. $15,462).
• Portland State University is 123.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland Community College (about $6,459 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 197.6% higher at Portland State University than at Portland Community College (about $20,634 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $10,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at Portland Community College (89% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 45.7% larger than aid received by Portland Community College students ($10,629 vs. $7,297).

Portland Community College vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland Community College 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 Portland Community College.

• Portland Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPortland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPortland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland Community College - Open admission; Portland State University - Test optional.

Portland Community College vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland Community College 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).

• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Portland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland Community College graduates have a $5,842 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($16,792 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, Portland Community College graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($173 vs. $234).
• More Portland State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland Community College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 36%)

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.