Portland State University vs. UWT

Comparable Facts

Compare Portland State University in Portland, OR with University of Washington Tacoma Campus in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Portland State University is larger than UWT based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); University of Washington Tacoma Campus is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Portland State University 17:1; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1.

Portland State University vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland State University or UWT? 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 UWT ($10,195 vs. $13,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 16.1% lower than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($13,728 vs. $16,371).
• University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 12.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $1,489 more per year; $13,168.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.7% higher at UWT than at Portland State University (about $12,330 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $31,074.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (89% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($12,161 vs. $10,629).

Portland State University vs. UWT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland State University or UWT? 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 UWT and Portland State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Portland State University (1130) is 60 points higher than at UWT (1070).
• Incoming Portland State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at UWT (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 1000/1250; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 17/24; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland State University - Test optional; UWT - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWT Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UWT students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than UWT (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Portland State University vs. 21.5% at UWT.

Portland State University vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland State University and UWT? 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 University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than Portland State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $7,634 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($155 vs. $234).
• More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.