Portland State University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
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.
⬡ LangSmith77267be2-a044-45d2-bf83-f2201f7a081aData on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Portland State University facts and stats
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.
⬡ LangSmith4997e82a-02ad-40bb-b577-6268049224a8Portland, OR
How do your scores compare at Portland State?
Key Portland State University application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
August 1
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
August 1
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
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
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.
⬡ LangSmith246e9a32-aaf0-4d2b-8d9e-cf6a3808dcabWant to improve your scores and unlock scholarships at Portland State University?
Higher test scores can mean bigger merit awards. Acely helps you get there faster.
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.
⬡ LangSmith96cad4e8-944f-4ba9-95d8-d349cbf99a07
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.
⬡ LangSmith2007e526-e3ac-4182-9e54-b35f92831b9dStudent life at Portland State University
10% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 0% of men join fraternities, and 0% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
University of Oregon
Eugene, ORAcceptance rate: 88.3%
SAT: 1130–1360
ACT: 23–30
Oregon State University
Corvallis, ORAcceptance rate: 77.3%
SAT: 1160–1390
ACT: 24–31
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZAcceptance rate: 89.6%
SAT: 1010–1280
ACT: 20–26
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, CAAcceptance rate: 93.4%
SAT: 860–1140
ACT: 17–22
Unlock your future with Acely
Adaptive SAT and ACT practice that meets you where you are and gets you to your target score.