OSU vs. Portland Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR with Portland Community College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oregon State University is larger than Portland Community College based on total student enrollment (37,163 students vs. 20,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting); Portland Community College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oregon State University 18:1; Portland Community College 19:1.

OSU vs. Portland Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OSU or Portland Community College? 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 Community College than OSU ($9,372 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland Community College are 5.6% lower than at Oregon State University ($15,462 vs. $16,386).
• Oregon State University is 175.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland Community College (about $9,180 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 265.8% higher at OSU than at Portland Community College (about $27,750 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $10,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at Portland Community College (90% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oregon State University students is 53.9% larger than aid received by Portland Community College students ($11,230 vs. $7,297).

OSU vs. Portland Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OSU or Portland Community College? 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 Community College and OSU.

• Portland Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OSU - Test optional; Portland Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: OSU Feb 1, 2027.

OSU vs. Portland Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OSU and Portland Community College? 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).

• Graduates from Oregon State University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Portland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland Community College graduates have a $6,708 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($16,792 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Portland Community College graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($173 vs. $242).
• More OSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland Community College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 36%)

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.