UL Lafayette vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA 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 UL Lafayette based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 15,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette 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 Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; Portland State University 17:1.

UL Lafayette vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette 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 UL Lafayette ($10,195 vs. $13,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 11.8% lower than at Portland State University ($12,108 vs. $13,728).
• Portland State University is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $1,261 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.7% higher at Portland State University than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $6,928 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Lafayette than at Portland State University (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 10.7% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($11,762 vs. $10,629).

UL Lafayette vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette 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 UL Lafayette.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 50 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming UL Lafayette students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UL Lafayette students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than UL Lafayette (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

UL Lafayette vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette 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 Louisiana at Lafayette's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $3,134 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($201 vs. $234).
• More Portland State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.