University of Nevada-Reno vs. Portland State University

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

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University of Nevada Reno vs. Portland State University comparison
University of Nevada Reno Portland State University College 3 College 4
University of Nevada Reno Portland State University
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Overview

University of Nevada-Reno Portland State University
Location Reno, NV Portland, OR
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 20,945 21,609
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #443 #730
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unr.edu pdx.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Nevada-Reno Portland State University
Tuition (In State) $8,133 $9,000
Tuition (Out of State) $24,687 $27,900
Room & Board $13,796 $14,940
Avg Net Price $16,670 $16,273
Avg Grant Aid $7,829 $9,750
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 86%

Admission

University of Nevada-Reno Portland State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,398 7,926
Admitted 8,047 7,378
Acceptance Rate 85.6% 93.1%
Enrolled % 41% 22.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 17/24
SAT Range 1060/1270 1000/1250
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 7, 2025

Academics

University of Nevada-Reno Portland State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

University of Nevada-Reno Portland State University
Graduation Rate 51% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,400 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,801 $22,634
Median Loan Payment $194 $234

Diversity

University of Nevada-Reno Portland State University
% Men 46% 42%
% Women 54% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 60% 59%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 19% 12%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 6%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

University of Nevada-Reno Portland State University
% In-State 76% 78%
% Out-of-State 23% 20%

Campus

University of Nevada-Reno 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

  • Portland State University is larger than than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (21,609 students vs. 20,945 students)

University of Nevada-Reno vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Nevada-Reno or Portland State University?

  • Portland State University is 10.7% more expensive to attend than University of Nevada-Reno for in-state tuition ($9,000.00 vs. $8,133.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13% higher at Portland State University than University of Nevada Reno ($27,900.00 vs. $24,687.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Portland State University than University of Nevada-Reno ($16,273 vs. $16,670)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 8.3% lower than costs at Portland State University ($13,796 vs. $14,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than Portland State University (92% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 24.5% larger than aid received University of Nevada Reno ($9,750 vs. $7,829)

University of Nevada-Reno vs. Portland State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Nevada-Reno 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 University of Nevada-Reno .

  • The average SAT score at University of Nevada Reno (1084) is 45 points higher than at Portland State University (1039)
  • Incoming University of Nevada-Reno students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Portland State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Nevada-Reno 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 University of Nevada-Reno (85.6%)

University of Nevada-Reno vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Nevada-Reno 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 University of Nevada-Reno.

  • The graduation rate at University of Nevada-Reno is higher than Portland State University (51% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn on average $4,800 more per year than Portland State University graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $48,600)
  • University of Nevada Reno students graduate with a $3,833 lower median federal student loan debt than Portland State University graduates. ($18,801 vs. $22,634)
  • University of Nevada-Reno graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Portland State University graduates. ($194 vs. $234)
  • More University of Nevada-Reno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/