Pacific vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with Portland State University in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Portland State University is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 3,427 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific University 10:1; Portland State University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 12.1% lower than at Pacific University ($13,728 vs. $15,620).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.4% higher at Pacific than at Portland State University (about $25,300 more per year; $56,374 vs. $31,074).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University than at Portland State University (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 249.4% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($37,139 vs. $10,629).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Pacific than at Portland State University (23 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pacific and Portland State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Pacific average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.37 higher than at Portland State University (3.36).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $3,522 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($22,634 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($234 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 55%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.