Portland State University vs. PLU

Should I go to Portland State University or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Portland State University or PLU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Portland State University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Portland State University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Portland State University Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

Portland State University PLU
Location Portland, OR Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 21,609 2,633
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #730 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pdx.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Portland State University PLU
Tuition (In State) $9,000 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $27,900 $49,472
Room & Board $14,940 $11,826
Avg Net Price $16,273 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $9,750 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 99%

Admission

Portland State University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,926 3,334
Admitted 7,378 2,964
Acceptance Rate 93.1% 88.9%
Enrolled % 22.1% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 27/30
SAT Range 1000/1250 1253/1423
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Portland State University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Portland State University PLU
Graduation Rate 38% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,600 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,634 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $234 $266

Diversity

Portland State University PLU
% Men 42% 36%
% Women 58% 64%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 68%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Portland State University PLU
% In-State 78% 74%
% Out-of-State 20% 22%

Campus

Portland State University PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Portland State University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (21,609 students vs. 2,633 students)

Portland State University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland State University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 449.7% more expensive to attend than Portland State University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $9,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 77.3% higher at PLU than Portland State University ($49,472.00 vs. $27,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Portland State University than PLU ($16,273 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 26.3% lower than costs at Portland State University ($11,826 vs. $14,940)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Portland State University (99% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 273.7% larger than aid received Portland State University ($36,435 vs. $9,750)

Portland State University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland State University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Portland State University .

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 78 points higher than at Portland State University (1039)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Portland State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Portland State University (3.36)
  • Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than PLU (88.9%)

Portland State University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Portland State University or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and Portland State University.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Portland State University (66% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $3,700 more per year than Portland State University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $48,600)
  • Portland State University students graduate with a $3,166 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($22,634 vs. $25,800)
  • Portland State University graduates are paying $32 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($234 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/