UNLV vs. Portland State University

Should I go to University of Nevada Las Vegas or Portland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UNLV 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of Nevada Las Vegas vs. Portland State University comparison
University of Nevada Las Vegas Portland State University College 3 College 4
University of Nevada Las Vegas Portland State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UNLV Portland State University
Location Las Vegas, NV Portland, OR
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 30,660 21,609
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #609 #730
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unlv.edu pdx.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UNLV Portland State University
Tuition (In State) $8,159 $9,000
Tuition (Out of State) $24,701 $27,900
Room & Board $11,512 $14,940
Avg Net Price $13,159 $16,273
Avg Grant Aid $6,346 $9,750
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 86%

Admission

UNLV Portland State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,275 7,926
Admitted 11,325 7,378
Acceptance Rate 85.3% 93.1%
Enrolled % 38.1% 22.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/24
SAT Range 1000/1220 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 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

UNLV Portland State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

UNLV Portland State University
Graduation Rate 40% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,018 $22,634
Median Loan Payment $196 $234

Diversity

UNLV Portland State University
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 35% 59%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 26% 12%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 9% 6%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

UNLV Portland State University
% In-State 82% 78%
% Out-of-State 16% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nevada Las Vegas is larger than than Portland State University based on total student enrollment (30,660 students vs. 21,609 students)

UNLV vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNLV or Portland State University?

  • Portland State University is 10.3% more expensive to attend than UNLV for in-state tuition ($9,000.00 vs. $8,159.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13% higher at Portland State University than University of Nevada Las Vegas ($27,900.00 vs. $24,701.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nevada Las Vegas than Portland State University ($13,159 vs. $16,273)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 29.8% lower than costs at Portland State University ($11,512 vs. $14,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than Portland State University (89% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 53.6% larger than aid received University of Nevada Las Vegas ($9,750 vs. $6,346)

UNLV vs. Portland State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNLV 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 UNLV .

  • The average SAT score at Portland State University (1039) is 32 points higher than at UNLV (1007)
  • Incoming UNLV students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Portland State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UNLV 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 (93.1%) than UNLV (85.3%)

UNLV vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UNLV 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 UNLV.

  • The graduation rate at UNLV is higher than Portland State University (40% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Portland State University earn on average $1,000 more per year than UNLV graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $47,600)
  • University of Nevada Las Vegas students graduate with a $3,616 lower median federal student loan debt than Portland State University graduates. ($19,018 vs. $22,634)
  • UNLV graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans 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/