Portland State University is a well-regarded public university in Portland, Oregon in the Portland metropolitan area. It is a large public school with an undergraduate student body of 18,959 students. Admissions are somewhat selective, with an acceptance rate at Portland State of approximately 90.9%. Psychology, Social Sciences, Liberal Arts & Humanities, Business, and Public Health are popular majors. The six-year graduation rate is 53%, and Portland State graduates have a median starting salary of about INR 47,10,000 (ten years post-graduation, converted from $56,900 median earnings).
Oregon State University is a well-known public university located in Corvallis, Oregon in the Corvallis city region. It is a large institution with an undergraduate student body of 27,821. Admissions are moderately competitive since Oregon State's acceptance rate is approximately 78.8%. Popular majors are Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Human Development, and Biology. The six-year graduation rate is 67%, and the median starting salary for Oregon State graduates is around INR 54,64,000 (converted from $66,000 median earnings ten years after graduation).
| Portland State University | Oregon State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.7 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1201 QS World University 2026 # 801 Times Higher Education 2025 # 1006 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 624 QS World University 2026 # 291 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 641 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 158 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 1001 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2023 # 201 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 | # 74 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 300 for Medicine by QS World University 2024 |
| Programs | UG Programs -103 PG Programs -41 | UG Programs -92 PG Programs -53 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 90.9 % | 78.8 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 SAT-990 TOEFL-80 | Duolingo-110 IELTS-6.5 SAT-1070 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 24530 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 21105 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 20178 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 33063 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 34380 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16386 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | The average salary for MBA graduates is $69,300. 82% of job-seeking students were employed within six months after graduation. Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: MBA: $144,000 Masters in Science: $92,000 Masters of Arts: $72,000 Bachelor of Science: $68,000 Bachelor of Arts: $60,000 | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows
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| application requirements | Submit academic transcripts of all previous education Submit English language proficiency test scores Check program specific requirements | Submit academic records of all previous education Submit English language requirements Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 4 reviews | 7.2/10 Read 5 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 118 for Business by US News 2025 # 501 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 251 for Business by QS World University 2025 # 116 for Business by US News 2024 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 110/160GRE - 300/340IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 80/120 | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Aug 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) Dec 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Winter 2025 Intake) Mar 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) | Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake) Jan 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) Feb 1, 2026 (Priority Scholarship Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Portland State University | Oregon State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1946 | 1856 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| Male:Female | 47% Male, 53% Female | 54% Male, 46% Female |
| Location Facts | The majority of the PSU campus is located across a 50-acre (20 ha) section of southwest downtown Portland, in an area known as the University District. The campus is situated against the West Hills, and is bound by Clay Street to the north, Fourth Avenue to the east, Interstate 405 to the south, and 12th Avenue to the west. | The 420-acre main campus is the centerpiece of Corvallis, Oregon. It is 83 miles south of Portland, near the middle of the state's Willamette Valley. The second campus is located at bend. |
| Library | The Milar library provides various opportunities for the students to succeed and equips them with the right resources like journals, e-books, publications etc. |
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| Campus Life | Portland State differs from the other universities in Oregon partially because, as an urban institution, it attracts a student body older than other universities. The student government is the Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU). In addition to a student body President and Vice President, there is a Student Fee Committee, a 25-member Student Senate, and a Judicial Board which rules on ASPSU constitutional questions. There are also a number of university committees that have student members appointed by the ASPSU President. Portland State also participates in the Oregon Student Association, the statewide student lobbying non-profit. Portland State’s campus life has to offer, from live music and food carts in the tree-lined Park Blocks to student rec activities in the modern Urban Plaza. The university's student health and counseling center, 10 cultural and resource centers, 200 student groups, and support services are here to ensure you thrive. |
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| Hostel | #Off campus (not with family) - $12831 #Off campus (with family) - $7347 | #Housing & Food - $16386 |
| Famous Alumni | Barbara Roberts, the 34th Governor of Oregon U.S. Federal Judge Anna J. Brown United Parcel Service CEO D. Scott Davis CEO of Laika, Travis Knight |
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| City Life | Portland is a well-rounded region with more than just offbeat shops and events. Museums, art galleries and the oldest public library on the West Coast feed a population with more academic degrees than the national average.The metro area's loyal sports fans avidly support their NBA basketball team, the Portland Trail Blazers; MLS soccer team, the Portland Timbers; and major junior ice hockey team, the Portland Winterhawks. Wilderness is also close by. Two mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean can be reached in an hour or two, while the fertile vineyards of the Willamette Valley lure city dwellers with a thirst for something fresh. |
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Portland State University vs Oregon State University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Oregon State University (OSU) is ranked #624 in QS with its major areas of strength being Forestry (top 5 in the world), Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Oceanography, and Agricultural Sciences. Portland State University (PSU) is ranked #1201-1400 in QS and 800-1000th in Times Higher Education and is known nationally for Urban Studies, Public Affairs, Business, and Sustainability Programs. OSU enjoys more worldwide recognition and research intensity, whereas PSU is identified with urban policy and community-based learning.
General Information
Oregon State University, established in 1868, is a public land-grant research university situated in Corvallis, Oregon, with approximately 35,000 students (online and satellite campuses included). Portland State University, established in 1946, is situated in downtown Portland, Oregon, with around 23,000 students. OSU provides a traditional campus life with extensive research facilities, while PSU offers an urban, commuter-driven setting infused with city life and professional experiences.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Oregon State University accepts about 78.8% of applicants with more competitive admissions to Engineering, Computer Science, and Honors College programs. Portland State University is just as accessible with an acceptance rate close to 90.9%, prioritizing inclusiveness and access. OSU recruits students interested in STEM and research-based degrees, whereas PSU recruits students interested in business, social sciences, and applied professional programs in the city environment.
Research Impact & Facilities
Oregon State University is an R1: Very High Research Activity institution, with research expenditures annually above $450 million. It is a top institution in Marine Science, Environmental Research, Robotics, and Agricultural Innovation and has facilities such as the Hatfield Marine Science Center. PSU is an R2: High Research Activity institution, with research strength areas of Collaboration with Urban Economy, Urban Planning, Sustainability, Education, and Public Policy, integrating its expertise with Portland's urban economy. OSU excels in science and engineering research, whereas Portland State University makes a difference in applied community-oriented research.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are public institutions. Oregon State University in-state is roughly $12,500–$13,500 annually, versus out-of-state at $33,000–$35,000. Portland State University in-state is a bit lower at $11,500–$12,500, and out-of-state at approximately $29,000–$31,000. Both provide financial aid, merit scholarships, and assistance for transfer and non-traditional students, although Portland State University is frequently more affordable, especially for urban commuters.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Oregon State University graduates are in high demand in STEM, agriculture, environmental studies, and tech fields, with robust pipelines to Pacific Northwest firms and international employers. Portland State University graduates shine in public service, urban policy, non-profits, education, and Portland's business community. Oregon State University delivers stronger returns for research-focused and STEM career paths, whereas Portland State University is ideal for professionals that want to remain and work within Portland's urban economy.
