CU Denver vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with Portland State University in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than Portland State University based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 19,951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Portland State University 17:1.

CU Denver vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 CU Denver ($10,195 vs. $14,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 11.1% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($13,728 vs. $15,442).
• Portland State University is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $1,296 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Portland State University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $1,683 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (89% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 11.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($10,629 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver 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 CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Portland State University (1130) is 30 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming CU Denver 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: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• 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 (90.9%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

CU Denver vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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).

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than Portland State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $1,444 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($21,190 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.