Public

Large

Big Sky Conference

Portland State University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT Range930 to 1250

ACT Range17 to 28

Average GPA3.36

Acceptance Rate90.9%

At Portland State, the high acceptance rate means your main job is deciding whether scores add useful context, not chasing a make-or-break number. If your SAT is near or above 1250, or your ACT is near or above 28, submitting can reinforce your strengths; otherwise, lean on GPA, courses, and fit.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

Portland State University facts and stats

Quick Facts

Portland State University enrolls about 15,414 undergraduates in an urban campus setting. Portland State has a 76% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%, and a 53% six-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1.

Location

Portland, OR

Undergrad Enrollment15,414

Freshman Retention76%

SettingUrban

Student to Faculty Ratio17:1

Graduation Rate53%

Test PolicyTest-optional

How do your scores compare at Portland State?

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Key Portland State University application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

August 1

Early Action

Not offered

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

August 1

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

If you choose to submit scores to test-optional Portland State, take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year for retakes and superscoring. Because the Regular Decision deadline is August 1, fall senior-year retakes will not arrive in time, so plan to have your final score ready by a summer test date.

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What you'll actually pay

Portland State is a public Big Sky Conference university, with in-state tuition of $9,765 and out-of-state tuition of $29,070. About 61% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is August 1.

In-State Tuition$9,765

Out-of-State Tuition$29,070

Room and Board$13,575

Average Merit Award$3,677

Application Fee$60

Students on Aid61%

Average Aid Package$15,107

Average Debt at Grad$23,107

For out-of-state students, Portland State tuition is $29,070, while in-state tuition is $9,765; room and board adds $13,575. Aid is common, with 61% of students receiving support and an average aid package of $15,107. Merit awards average $3,677, which can help reduce the bill but may not close the full gap. Graduates leave with an average debt of $23,107.