Washington State vs. Portland State University vs. California Lutheran University vs. Idaho

Should I go to Washington State University or Portland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Washington State or Portland State University 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.
You are comparing the maximum of four schools. Remove a college to compare additional schools.
Washington State University vs. Portland State University vs. California Lutheran University vs. University of Idaho comparison
Washington State University Portland State University California Lutheran University University of Idaho
Washington State University Portland State University California Lutheran University University of Idaho
Remove Remove Remove Remove

Overview

 Washington State Portland State University California Lutheran University Idaho
Location Pullman, WA Portland, OR Thousand Oaks, CA Moscow, ID
Setting Distant Town Large City Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 26,490 20,519 3,413 11,849
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #385 #689 #359 #552
Religious Affiliation - - Evangelical Lutheran Church -
Status Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit Non-profit
Website wsu.edu pdx.edu callutheran.edu uidaho.edu
Team Colors                                        

Costs

 Washington State Portland State University California Lutheran University Idaho
Tuition (In State) $10,976 $9,315 $49,880 $6,540
Tuition (Out of State) $27,052 $28,215 $49,880 $27,508
Room & Board $13,131 $13,728 $17,734 $10,380
Avg Net Price $18,155 $12,509 $27,080 $14,377
Avg Grant Aid $10,370 $8,827 $36,687 $12,095
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 84% 100% 95%

Admission

 Washington State Portland State University California Lutheran University Idaho
Applied 26,166 8,877 5,290 12,222
Admitted 22,335 8,070 4,702 9,666
Acceptance Rate 85.4% 90.9% 88.9% 182.7%
Enrolled % 19% 19.6% 12.2% 39.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.36 3.73 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+ A- B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 17/24 23/29 20/29
SAT Range 1020/1210 1000/1250 1134/1320 950/1200
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 31, 2026 Jan 1, 2026

Academics

 Washington State Portland State University California Lutheran University Idaho
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (25%)
  • Engineering (24%)
  • Social Sciences (22%)
  • Psychology (21%)

Outcomes

 Washington State Portland State University California Lutheran University Idaho
Graduation Rate 67% 38% 64% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,400 $48,600 $57,900 $46,900
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 55% 70% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,429 $22,634 $23,000 $24,279
Median Loan Payment $211 $234 $237 $251

Diversity

 Washington State Portland State University California Lutheran University Idaho
% Men 7% 8% 10% 11%
% Women 10% 14% 20% 11%
Racial Diversity Medium High Very High Low
HBCU No No No No
% White 63% 59% 49% 76%
% Black 3% 4% 4% 1%
% Hispanic 13% 12% 27% 10%
% Native American 1% 1% 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1% 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 6% 5% 4%
% International 5% 5% 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 4% 4% 2%

Students

 Washington State Portland State University California Lutheran University Idaho
% In-State 83% 80% 80% 63%
% Out-of-State 15% 18% 16% 28%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Washington State University is larger than than Portland State University based on total student enrollment (26,490 students vs. 20,519 students)

Washington State vs. Portland State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Washington State University is 17.8% more expensive to attend than Portland State University for in-state tuition ($10,976.00 vs. $9,315.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.3% higher at Portland State University than Washington State University ($28,215.00 vs. $27,052.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Portland State University than Washington State ($12,509 vs. $18,155)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 4.5% lower than costs at Portland State University ($13,131 vs. $13,728)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Washington State University than Portland State University (87% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 17.5% larger than aid received Portland State University ($10,370 vs. $8,827)

Washington State vs. Portland State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Washington State University (1039) is the same at Portland State University (1039)
  • Incoming Washington State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Portland State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Washington State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Portland State University (3.36)
  • Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than Washington State (85.4%)

Washington State vs. Portland State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Washington State or Portland State University? 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 Portland State University and Washington State.

  • The graduation rate at Washington State is higher than Portland State University (67% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Washington State University earn on average $5,800 more per year than Portland State University graduates after ten years. ($54,400 vs. $48,600)
  • Washington State University students graduate with a $2,205 lower median federal student loan debt than Portland State University graduates. ($20,429 vs. $22,634)
  • Washington State graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Portland State University graduates. ($211 vs. $234)
  • More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 55%)

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