UNLV vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nevada Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV with Portland State University in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nevada Las Vegas is larger than Portland State University based on total student enrollment (32,911 students vs. 19,951 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nevada Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas 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 Nevada Las Vegas 19:1; Portland State University 17:1.

UNLV vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNLV 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 UNLV ($10,195 vs. $11,553).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 8% lower than at Portland State University ($12,628 vs. $13,728).
• Portland State University is 19.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNLV (about $1,931 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at Portland State University than at University of Nevada Las Vegas (about $3,663 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $27,411.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at Portland State University (90% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 37.7% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($10,629 vs. $7,717).

UNLV vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNLV 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 UNLV.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nevada Las Vegas (1130) is the same as at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming UNLV students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNLV - Test optional; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNLV Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNLV students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than Portland State University (90.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.2% at UNLV vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

UNLV vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNLV 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 Nevada Las Vegas's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than UNLV graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Las Vegas graduates have a $3,616 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($19,018 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, UNLV graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($196 vs. $234).
• More Portland State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 52%)

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.