SUNY Cortland vs. Portland State University

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY with Portland State University in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Portland State University is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Portland State University is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Portland State University 17:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland or Portland State University? 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 SUNY Cortland ($10,195 vs. $19,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 11.8% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($13,728 vs. $15,560).
• Portland State University is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $2,805 more per year; $11,679.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.4% higher at Portland State University than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $12,290 more per year; $31,074.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at State University of New York at Cortland (89% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Portland State University students is 28.8% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($10,629 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Portland State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at Cortland (1170) is 40 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming SUNY Cortland 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: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Portland State University 1000/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; Portland State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Portland State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 18.2% at Portland State University.

SUNY Cortland vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $1,134 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($222 vs. $234).
• More SUNY Cortland 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.