Portland State University vs. UW

Comparable Facts

Compare Portland State University in Portland, OR with University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Portland State University is larger than UW based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 10,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); University of Wyoming is in Laramie, WY (Remote Town setting).
• Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wyoming is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Portland State University 17:1; University of Wyoming 13:1.

Portland State University vs. UW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland State University or UW? 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 UW ($10,195 vs. $14,872).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wyoming are 0.1% lower than at Portland State University ($13,710 vs. $13,728).
• Portland State University is 50.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW (about $3,911 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $7,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at Portland State University than at University of Wyoming (about $6,896 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $24,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wyoming than at Portland State University (90% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 4.1% larger than aid received by University of Wyoming students ($10,629 vs. $10,212).

Portland State University vs. UW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland State University or UW? 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 UW and Portland State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wyoming (1140) is 10 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming UW students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 1000/1250; University of Wyoming 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 17/24; University of Wyoming 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland State University - Test optional; UW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• UW has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Portland State University (90.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Portland State University vs. 23.8% at UW.

Portland State University vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland State University and UW? 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).

• University of Wyoming's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Wyoming earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Portland State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wyoming graduates have a $4,134 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($18,500 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, UW graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($191 vs. $234).
• More UW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.