Portland State University vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 14,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Portland State University 17:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Portland State University vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland State University or Western Washington 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 Western Washington University ($10,195 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 12.8% lower than at Western Washington University ($13,728 vs. $15,747).
• Portland State University is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $2,097 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Portland State University than at Western Washington University (about $2,367 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at Portland State University (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 54% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($10,629 vs. $6,902).

Portland State University vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland State University or Western Washington 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 Western Washington University and Portland State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 140 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 1000/1250; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 17/24; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland State University - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Washington University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than Portland State University (90.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Portland State University vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Portland State University vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland State University and Western Washington 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).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $3,221 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($19,413 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($200 vs. $234).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.