Portland State University vs. Southern Utah University

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

Portland State University Southern Utah University
Location Portland, OR Cedar City, UT
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 20,519 15,033
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #689 #855
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pdx.edu suu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Portland State University Southern Utah University
Tuition (In State) $9,315 $6,006
Tuition (Out of State) $28,215 $19,822
Room & Board $13,728 $8,824
Avg Net Price $12,509 $12,375
Avg Grant Aid $8,827 $8,992
% Receiving Grant Aid 84% 91%

Admission

Portland State University Southern Utah University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,877 19,190
Admitted 8,070 15,443
Acceptance Rate 90.9% 80.5%
Enrolled % 19.6% 14.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.58
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 20/26
SAT Range 1000/1250 1030/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Sep 8, 2025

Academics

Portland State University Southern Utah University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (25%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

Portland State University Southern Utah University
Graduation Rate 38% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,600 $43,300
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,634 $12,575
Median Loan Payment $234 $130

Diversity

Portland State University Southern Utah University
% Men 8% 6%
% Women 14% 7%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 77%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 12% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 1%
% International 5% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 5%

Students

Portland State University Southern Utah University
% In-State 80% 69%
% Out-of-State 18% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Portland State University is larger than than Southern Utah University based on total student enrollment (20,519 students vs. 15,033 students)

Portland State University vs. Southern Utah University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland State University or Southern Utah University?

  • Portland State University is 55.1% more expensive to attend than Southern Utah University for in-state tuition ($9,315.00 vs. $6,006.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.3% higher at Portland State University than Southern Utah University ($28,215.00 vs. $19,822.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Utah University than Portland State University ($12,375 vs. $12,509)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Utah University are 55.6% lower than costs at Portland State University ($8,824 vs. $13,728)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Utah University than Portland State University (91% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Utah University students is 1.9% larger than aid received Portland State University ($8,992 vs. $8,827)

Portland State University vs. Southern Utah University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southern Utah University (1078) is 39 points higher than at Portland State University (1039)
  • Incoming Southern Utah University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Portland State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Utah University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Portland State University (3.36)
  • Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than Southern Utah University (80.5%)

Portland State University vs. Southern Utah University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Portland State University or Southern Utah 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 Southern Utah University and Portland State University.

  • The graduation rate at Portland State University is higher than Southern Utah University (38% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Portland State University earn on average $5,300 more per year than Southern Utah University graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $43,300)
  • Southern Utah University students graduate with a $10,059 lower median federal student loan debt than Portland State University graduates. ($12,575 vs. $22,634)
  • Southern Utah University graduates are paying $104 less per month on federal student loans than Portland State University graduates. ($130 vs. $234)
  • More Southern Utah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 55%)

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