What is Portland State University's website (pdx.edu)?

Updated

pdx.edu is the official homepage of Portland State University (PSU), a public research university located in downtown Portland, Oregon. The site is the starting point for prospective students, current students, and visitors to explore more than 200 academic programs, request information, schedule a campus visit, and apply for undergraduate or graduate admission. It also serves as a hub for campus news, events, and institutional facts about the university.

What the site is for

The homepage organizes its main functions around a few clear actions:

  • Explore programs — browse 200+ academic programs across undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Request information — ask for details before deciding whether to apply.
  • Visit campus — plan an in-person visit to the downtown Portland location.
  • Apply — start an undergraduate or graduate application.
  • Check events and news — see upcoming campus events and recent university announcements.

Key institutional facts highlighted

The homepage presents several claims about PSU that are worth noting if you're evaluating the university:

Claim What it means
Most affordable public research university in Oregon Positioned as a lower-cost option among Oregon public research universities
Most diverse research university in Oregon Emphasizes student and community diversity
Top 10 best LGBTQ-friendly colleges Cited as a national ranking for LGBTQ+ inclusivity
Urban campus in downtown Portland Described as one of the best college locations in America, with opportunity "at every turn"

Tuition-Free Degree

The site mentions a Tuition-Free Degree program that covers undergraduate tuition and most mandatory fees for eligible Oregon residents. If you're an Oregon resident considering PSU, this is the single most important item to verify — check the eligibility requirements directly on the site before assuming you qualify.

What you'll find on the homepage

  • Featured content — seasonal items like Viking Days, PSU's fall welcome tradition, which includes service projects, block parties, athletics, drag shows, and Party in the Park.
  • Upcoming events — a calendar of info sessions and activities, including faculty-led study tours to Italy (Reggio Emilia), Scotland (Edinburgh, book publishing), and Chile (Valparaíso, neuroscience and art). Each event has add-to-calendar links for iCalendar, Google, Outlook, and Yahoo.
  • News — recent announcements, such as a partnership agreement between PSU and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

When to use this site

Use pdx.edu if you want to:

  • Confirm that PSU is a real, accredited public university in Portland, Oregon.
  • Compare PSU against other Oregon schools on cost and diversity.
  • Find the official application portal rather than a third-party site.
  • Check whether the Tuition-Free Degree applies to your situation.
  • Look up campus events or study-abroad info sessions.

If you're researching a different institution, note that pdx.edu is specific to Portland State University — it is not a general education portal or a directory of Oregon colleges.