UIC vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Portland State University in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Portland State University based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 19,951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago 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 Illinois Chicago 17:1; Portland State University 17:1.

UIC vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 UIC ($10,195 vs. $10,852).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 16.8% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($13,728 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 22.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $2,659 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Portland State University than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $1,190 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at University of Illinois Chicago (89% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 57.6% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($16,755 vs. $10,629).

UIC vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 110 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming UIC students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UIC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

UIC vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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 Illinois Chicago's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Portland State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $3,884 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($193 vs. $234).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.