Head-to-head · 2026
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus vs Portland State University
Compare average net price ($18,048 at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus; $9,552 at Portland State University), ROI score (8.87 vs 15.16), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($64,010 vs $57,906), and admissions selectivity (63.1% acceptance at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus; 90.9% at Portland State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Oregon State University-Cascades Campus | Portland State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.87 | 15.16 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $18,048 | $9,552 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $72,192 | $38,208 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,566 | $11,679 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $37,356 | $31,074 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $64,010 ✓ | $57,906 |
| Acceptance rate | 63.1% | 90.9% |
| Graduation rate | 55.6% ✓ | 52.7% |
| Retention rate | 75% | 76.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,221 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,044 | 13,182 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1255 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Oregon State University-Cascades Campus | Portland State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,497 | $7,655 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,716 | $7,752 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,694 | $8,981 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,055 | $12,993 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $24,478 | $19,112 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Oregon State University-Cascades Campus | Portland State University |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 16.7% | 3.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.2% | 5% |
| Psychology, General | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 6% | 1.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.4% | 5.8% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 2.6% |
| Public Health | 2.8% | 2.7% |
| Marketing | 1.9% | 2.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Portland State University reports the lower average net price by $8,496 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $33,984 difference over four years ($38,208 vs $72,192).
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus reports $6,104 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($64,010 vs $57,906). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75% at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus and 76.1% at Portland State University. Median federal debt among completers is $21,221 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus vs Portland State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Portland State University is cheaper — average net price $9,552 per year vs $18,048 at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. The annual difference of $8,496 adds up to about $33,984 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $64,010 vs $57,906 at Portland State University. The gap in the federal data is $6,104. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus is more selective at 63.1% acceptance vs 90.9% at Portland State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.