Portland State University vs. Western Oregon State College

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than Western Oregon State College based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 3,722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Western Oregon University is in Monmouth, OR (Town Fringe setting).
• Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Portland State University 17:1; Western Oregon University 13:1.

Portland State University vs. Western Oregon State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland State University or Western Oregon State College? 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 Western Oregon State College ($10,195 vs. $14,006).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Oregon University are 8.7% lower than at Portland State University ($12,528 vs. $13,728).
• Western Oregon University is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $200 more per year; $11,879.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Western Oregon State College than at Portland State University (about $1,460 more per year; $32,534.00 vs. $31,074.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Oregon University than at Portland State University (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Western Oregon University students ($10,629 vs. $10,241).

Portland State University vs. Western Oregon State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland State University or Western Oregon State College? 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 Western Oregon State College and Portland State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Portland State University (1130) is 140 points higher than at Western Oregon State College (990).
• Incoming Western Oregon State College 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: Portland State University 1000/1250; Western Oregon University 868/1108.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 17/24; Western Oregon University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland State University - Test optional; Western Oregon State College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Portland State University students have the same average high school GPA (3.36) as students at Western Oregon State College (3.36).
• Western Oregon State College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Portland State University (90.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Portland State University vs. 18.6% at Western Oregon State College.

Portland State University vs. Western Oregon State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland State University and Western Oregon State College? 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).

• Western Oregon University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Western Oregon State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $1,868 lower median loan debt than Western Oregon State College graduates ($22,634 vs. $24,502).
• Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Oregon State College graduates ($234 vs. $253).
• More Portland State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Oregon State College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

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.