Portland State University Admission Requirements
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- Portland, OR
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Portland State University Admission Overview
Portland State University admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Portland State University admitted 90.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.36 GPA (B+) and SAT 1000-1250 / ACT 17-24. Portland State University is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Portland State University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Portland State University Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Portland State University
Acceptance Rate
The Portland State University acceptance rate is 90.9%. Last year, 8,248 of 9,077 applicants were admitted. That is the 15th lowest acceptance rate in Oregon.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Portland State University and can you get accepted?
Portland State University is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Portland State University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.36. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Portland State University GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.36Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.36
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Portland State University typically have around a 3.36 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Portland State University is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #14 in Oregon for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Portland State University SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1000-1250Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
1%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 510
- Math 490
- Composite 1000
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 640
- Math 610
- Composite 1250
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Portland State University typically score around a 1130 SAT (middle 50% 1000–1250) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 64th percentile nationally. Portland State University ranks #12 in the state of Oregon for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1000 to 1250
SAT policy
Portland State University is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1130 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Portland State University ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
17-24Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
-25th Percentile Scores
- English 15
- Math 18
- Composite 17
75th Percentile Scores
- English 26
- Math 29
- Composite 24
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Portland State University typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 17–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Portland State University places #14 among colleges in Oregon for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 24
ACT policy
You may apply to Portland State University without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Portland State University chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Portland State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Portland State University is $60.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Portland State University is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 90.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.36 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1000-1250); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Portland State University often consider these colleges
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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=209807.
GPA calculator: Portland State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026