C of I vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID with Portland State University in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Portland State University is larger than C of I based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 1,090 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell, ID (Small Suburban setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• The College of Idaho is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Idaho 10:1; Portland State University 17:1.

C of I vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, C of I 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 State University than C of I ($10,195 vs. $21,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Idaho are 7% lower than at Portland State University ($12,773 vs. $13,728).
• The College of Idaho is 224% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $26,166 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at C of I than at Portland State University (about $6,771 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $31,074.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Idaho than at Portland State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Idaho students is 173.9% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($29,110 vs. $10,629).

C of I vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, C of I 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 C of I.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Idaho (1180) is 50 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming C of I 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: The College of Idaho 1070/1280; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 23/31; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: C of I - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: C of I Feb 15, 2027.
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than C of I (49.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at C of I vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

C of I vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for C of I 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).

• The College of Idaho's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than C of I graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $3,361 lower median loan debt than C of I graduates ($22,634 vs. $25,995).
• Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than C of I graduates ($234 vs. $268).
• More C of I graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.