What academic programs and application steps does Portland State University offer?

Updated

Portland State University (pdx.edu) states that it offers more than 200 programs to explore, and its homepage lays out a simple path for prospective students: request information, visit campus, and apply. If you are an undergraduate, you apply directly to PSU; if you are pursuing an advanced degree, you enter through the graduate school route instead. The site also notes that PSU's Tuition-Free Degree covers undergraduate tuition and most mandatory fees for eligible Oregon residents, so Oregon residents should check their eligibility before assuming they will pay full tuition.

Academic programs

The homepage highlights a few facts about what PSU offers:

  • 200+ programs to explore, spanning undergraduate and graduate study.
  • Described as the most affordable public research university in Oregon.
  • Described as the most diverse research university in Oregon.
  • Ranked in the top 10 best LGBTQ-friendly colleges.

The homepage does not list individual program names or specific degree titles, so you would need to browse the programs section of the site to find the field you want. What the homepage does establish is the scale: with 200+ programs, PSU covers a broad range rather than a narrow set of majors.

Application steps

The homepage presents a general application path rather than a detailed checklist:

  1. Request Info — ask for information about PSU so you can evaluate whether it fits your goals.
  2. Visit Campus — see the downtown Portland campus, which the site describes as one of the best college locations in America, with "inspiration and opportunity at every turn."
  3. Apply Now — submit your application when you are ready.

Undergraduate vs. graduate entry points

The homepage separates the two paths:

  • Undergraduate applicants use the main "Apply to PSU" route. The site frames this as turning "big ideas into action with hands-on learning, career connections and a supportive community."
  • Graduate applicants use a distinct "Go for Graduate School" entry point, described as a way to "discover new solutions, expand your network and advance your career in graduate programs led by some of the nation's best faculty and researchers."

So the first decision to make is which level you are applying to, because that determines which application route you follow.

Cost consideration for Oregon residents

The homepage states that PSU's Tuition-Free Degree covers undergraduate tuition and most mandatory fees for eligible Oregon residents. Two conditions matter here:

  • It applies to undergraduate study.
  • It requires eligibility as an Oregon resident.

The homepage does not spell out the eligibility criteria, so if you are an Oregon resident considering PSU, verify the specific requirements before relying on this. If you are not an Oregon resident, this particular program does not apply to you based on the information shown.

What the homepage does not tell you

To set expectations, the homepage does not include:

  • Specific program names or degree titles.
  • Application deadlines or required materials.
  • Detailed tuition figures beyond the Oregon resident program described above.

For those details, you would need to go deeper into the site than the homepage. The homepage functions as a starting point: it tells you the scale of what is offered and gives you the three-step path (request info, visit, apply) plus the undergraduate/graduate split.

Practical next step

If you are deciding whether to engage with PSU, the homepage suggests a low-commitment first move: Request Info. That lets you gather specifics about programs and admissions before committing to a campus visit or an application. If you already know you want to attend, go straight to the application route that matches your level — undergraduate or graduate.