Portland State University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Portland State University in Portland, OR with Oregon State University Cascades Campus in Bend, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Portland State University is larger than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 1,296 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Oregon State University Cascades Campus is in Bend, OR (Small City setting).
• Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University Cascades Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Portland State University 17:1; Oregon State University Cascades Campus 9:1.

Portland State University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland State University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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 State University than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus ($10,195 vs. $19,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 16.2% lower than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus ($13,728 vs. $16,386).
• Oregon State University Cascades Campus is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $1,887 more per year; $13,566.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.2% higher at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus than at Portland State University (about $6,282 more per year; $37,356.00 vs. $31,074.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University as at Oregon State University Cascades Campus (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oregon State University Cascades Campus students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($11,046 vs. $10,629).

Portland State University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland State University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus and Portland State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oregon State University Cascades Campus (1230) is 100 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 1000/1250; Oregon State University Cascades Campus 1143/1318.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland State University - Test optional; Oregon State University-Cascades Campus - Test optional.
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (63.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Portland State University vs. 13.8% at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus.

Portland State University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland State University and Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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 Cascades Campus earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Portland State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Portland State University graduates have a $866 lower median loan debt than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates ($22,634 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Portland State University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates ($234 vs. $242).
• More Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 55%)

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.