CU Denver vs. Portland State University

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

CU Denver Portland State University
Location Denver, CO Portland, OR
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 23,744 21,609
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #730
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu pdx.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver Portland State University
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $9,000
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $27,900
Room & Board $14,230 $14,940
Avg Net Price $16,079 $16,273
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $9,750
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 86%

Admission

CU Denver Portland State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 7,926
Admitted 11,658 7,378
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 93.1%
Enrolled % 14.6% 22.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 17/24
SAT Range 1030/1260 1000/1250
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

CU Denver Portland State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

CU Denver Portland State University
Graduation Rate 40% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $22,634
Median Loan Payment $219 $234

Diversity

CU Denver Portland State University
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 59%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 19% 12%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 6%
% International 8% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

CU Denver Portland State University
% In-State 82% 78%
% Out-of-State 15% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than Portland State University based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 21,609 students)

CU Denver vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Portland State University?

  • Portland State University is 3% more expensive to attend than CU Denver for in-state tuition ($9,000.00 vs. $8,736.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.3% higher at Portland State University than University of Colorado Denver ($27,900.00 vs. $25,992.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than Portland State University ($16,079 vs. $16,273)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver are 5% lower than costs at Portland State University ($14,230 vs. $14,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver than Portland State University (93% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 3.9% larger than aid received University of Colorado Denver ($9,750 vs. $9,384)

CU Denver vs. Portland State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Denver (1055) is 16 points higher than at Portland State University (1039)
  • Incoming CU Denver students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Portland State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Portland State University (3.36)
  • Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or Portland State 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 Portland State University and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at CU Denver is higher than Portland State University (40% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $19,600 more per year than Portland State University graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $48,600)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $1,444 lower median federal student loan debt than Portland State University graduates. ($21,190 vs. $22,634)
  • CU Denver graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Portland State University graduates. ($219 vs. $234)
  • More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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