Portland State University

Portland State University (PSU) is a public state urban university centrally located in downtown Portland, Oregon. It has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, and is the fastest growing. It is also the only public university in the state that is located in a major metropolitan city. As part of the Oregon University System, Portland State University is envisioned as a microcosm of the global society, where the metropolitan environment becomes a laboratory for both students and faculty. Established in 1946 as the Vanport Extension Center, the institution then became a four-year school in 1955 and renamed Portland State College. In 1969, the college was finally granted University status.

While PSU has its roots as a liberal arts undergraduate college, it has progressively added more Doctoral programs as it evolves into a national research university. Some recently added programs are Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Applied Psychology, Technology Management and Sociology. Portland State attracts an older and more diverse student body than other Oregon universities. In 2006-2007, the average student age was 25-years-old. PSU competes in NCAA Division I athletics in basketball, women’s volleyball, golf, soccer, wrestling, tennis, softball, track and field and cross country.

Portland State University
PO Box 751
Portland OR 97207
(800) 547-8887
(503) 725-3000