Decoding Portland State University's Cost Per Credit Hour

Understanding the financial aspects of higher education is crucial for prospective students and their families. Portland State University (PSU) offers a variety of programs and courses, each with its own cost structure. This article breaks down the cost per credit hour at PSU, covering tuition, fees, and other related expenses.

Base Tuition Costs

The base tuition per term for the academic year and summer is determined by the number of credits a student enrolls in and their residency status.

Resident Undergraduate

For resident undergraduate students, the cost per credit hour is as follows:

1 credit: $217.00
2 credits: $434.00
3 credits: $651.00
4 credits: $868.00
5 credits: $1085.00
6 credits: $1,302.00
7 credits: $1,519.00
8 credits: $1,736.00
9 credits: $1,953.00
10 credits: $2,170.00
11 credits: $2,387.00
12 credits: $2,604.00
13 credits: $2,821.00
14 credits: $3,038.00
15 credits: $3,255.00
16 credits: $3,472.00
17 credits: $3,689.00
18 credits: $3,906.00

Each additional credit hour beyond 18 costs $217.00.

Resident Graduate

For resident graduate students, the cost per credit hour is as follows:

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1 credit: $477.00
2 credits: $954.00
3 credits: $1,431.00
4 credits: $1,908.00
5 credits: $2,385.00
6 credits: $2,862.00
7 credits: $3,339.00
8 credits: $3,816.00
9 credits: $4,293.00
10 credits: $4,770.00
11 credits: $5,247.00
12 credits: $5,724.00
13 credits: $6,067.00
14 credits: $6,410.00
15 credits: $6,753.00
16 credits: $7,096.00
17 credits: $7,439.00
18 credits: $7,782.00

Each additional credit hour beyond 18 costs $343.00.

Nonresident Undergraduate

For nonresident undergraduate students, the cost per credit hour is as follows:

1 credit: $646.00
2 credits: $1,292.00
3 credits: $1,938.00
4 credits: $2,584.00
5 credits: $3,230.00
6 credits: $3,876.00
7 credits: $4,522.00
8 credits: $5,168.00
9 credits: $5,814.00
10 credits: $6,460.00
11 credits: $7,106.00
12 credits: $7,752.00
13 credits: $8,398.00
14 credits: $9,044.00
15 credits: $9,690.00
16 credits: $10,336.00
17 credits: $10,982.00
18 credits: $11,628.00

Each additional credit hour beyond 18 costs $646.00.

Nonresident Graduate

For nonresident graduate students, the cost per credit hour is as follows:

1 credit: $711.00
2 credits: $1,422.00
3 credits: $2,133.00
4 credits: $2,844.00
5 credits: $3,555.00
6 credits: $4,266.00
7 credits: $4,977.00
8 credits: $5,688.00
9 credits: $6,399.00
10 credits: $7,110.00
11 credits: $7,821.00
12 credits: $8,532.00
13 credits: $9,214.00
14 credits: $9,896.00
15 credits: $10,578.00
16 credits: $11,260.00
17 credits: $11,942.00
18 credits: $12,624.00

Each additional credit hour beyond 18 costs $682.00.

Mandatory Fees

In addition to tuition, students are required to pay mandatory fees each term. These fees support various services and facilities at PSU. The fees are determined by the number of credits a student is enrolled in.

Building Fee: This fee supports construction and renovation projects on campus.
Incidental Fee: This fee funds student services such as activities, leadership programs, resource centers, childcare, and athletics.
Health Service Fee: This fee supports the services offered by the Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC). It is mandatory for students taking 5 or more in-load, non-Restricted Differential Tuition credit hours.
Academic Student Recreation Center Fee: This fee funds the construction, maintenance, operation costs, and equipment for the Academic and Student Recreation Center Building.

Here is a breakdown of the mandatory fees per term:

1 Credit:
- Building: $26.00
- Incidental: $205.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $275.00
2 Credits:
- Building: $28.00
- Incidental: $228.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $300.00
3 Credits:
- Building: $30.00
- Incidental: $251.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $325.00
4 Credits:
- Building: $32.00
- Incidental: $274.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $350.00
5 Credits:
- Building: $34.00
- Incidental: $297.00
- Health Services: $210.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $585.00
6 Credits:
- Building: $36.00
- Incidental: $320.00
- Health Services: $210.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $610.00
7 Credits:
- Building: $38.00
- Incidental: $343.00
- Health Services: $210.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $635.00
8 Credits:
- Building: $45.00
- Incidental: $369.00
- Health Services: $210.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $668.00
9 Credits:
- Building: $45.00
- Incidental: $369.00
- Health Services: $210.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $668.00
10 Credits:
- Building: $45.00
- Incidental: $369.00
- Health Services: $210.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $668.00
11 Credits:
- Building: $45.00
- Incidental: $369.00
- Health Services: $210.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $668.00
12 or more Credits:
- Building: $45.00
- Incidental: $369.00
- Health Services: $210.00
- Academic Student Recreation Center: $44.00
- Total: $668.00

Differential Tuition

Some programs at PSU charge a differential tuition rate, which is higher than the base tuition rate. This applies to specific colleges and programs due to the specialized resources and instruction they offer.

College of the Arts

The differential tuition rates for the College of the Arts are:

Resident Undergraduate:
- 1 credit: $228.40
- Each additional credit hour: $228.40
Resident Graduate:
- 1 credit: $524.00
- Each additional credit hour: $390.00
Nonresident Undergraduate:
- 1 credit: $692.00
- Each additional credit hour: $692.00
Nonresident Graduate:
- 1 credit: $762.00
- Each additional credit hour: $733.00

College of Education

The College of Education also has specific tuition rates for graduate programs:

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Resident:
- 1 credit: $526.00
- Each additional credit over 12: $392.00
Non-Resident:
- 1 credit: $760.00
- Each additional credit over 12: $731.00

Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science

The differential tuition rates for the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science are:

Resident Undergraduate:
- 1 credit: $287.60
- Each additional credit hour: $287.60
Resident Graduate:
- 1 credit: $529.50
- Each additional credit hour: $395.50
Nonresident Undergraduate:
- 1 credit: $716.60
- Each additional credit hour: $716.60
Nonresident Graduate:
- 1 credit: $763.50
- Each additional credit hour: $734.50

School of Business

The differential tuition rates for the School of Business are:

Undergraduate Resident:
- 1 credit: $235.40
- Each additional credit hour: $235.40
Undergraduate Nonresident:
- 1 credit: $665.00
- Each additional credit hour: $665.00

The School of Business also provides specific rates for graduate programs. Here are a few examples:

Master's in Finance Resident: \$677.00 per credit hour
Master's in Finance Nonresident: \$825.00 per credit hour
Master's in Global Supply Chain Management Resident: \$563.00 per credit hour
Master's in Global Supply Chain Management Nonresident: \$748.00 per credit hour
Master's of Taxation Resident: \$677.00 per credit hour
Master's of Taxation Nonresident: \$825.00 per credit hour

University Honors College

The differential tuition rates for the University Honors College are:

Resident:
- 1 credit: $224.40
- Each additional credit hour: $224.40
Nonresident:
- 1 credit: $653.00
- Each additional credit hour: $653.00

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has different rates based on the level of the course:

Graduate Level 1 (Communication, English, Foreign Languages, General Studies: Social Science, History, Psychology, & Sociology) Resident: \$492.00 per credit hour.
Graduate Level 1 (Communication, English, Foreign Languages, General Studies: Social Science, History, Psychology, & Sociology) Nonresident: \$726.00 per credit hour.
Graduate Level 2 (Anthropology, Applied Linguistics, Biology, Center for Science Ed, Chemistry, Conflict Resolution, English (Writing & Creative Writing), Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Math, Physics, and Speech & Hearing) Resident: \$499.00 per credit hour.
Graduate Level 2 (Anthropology, Applied Linguistics, Biology, Center for Science Ed, Chemistry, Conflict Resolution, English (Writing & Creative Writing), Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Math, Physics, and Speech & Hearing) Nonresident: \$736.00 per credit hour.

Program-Specific Tuition

Some programs have unique tuition structures, such as the Criminology and Criminal Justice Online (CCJO) program, which charges a flat rate per credit regardless of residency.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Online (CCJO): \$291 per credit, plus a \$38 per credit technology and services fee, and an additional fee of \$44 per term.

Additional Costs

Beyond tuition and fees, students should also budget for other expenses:

Books and Supplies: An estimated \$750 per year.
Housing and Meals: Varies depending on living arrangements. On-campus housing and meals averaged \$12,581 in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Transportation: Varies depending on commute and transportation choices.
Personal Expenses: Budget for personal needs and miscellaneous costs.
Matriculation Fee: A one-time fee of \$475 for all new students.
Health Insurance: The PSU health insurance premium is \$1,189.00 per term, but students can waive this fee with proof of existing insurance.
Online Course Fee: Online courses have an additional fee. Fully online courses have an additional fee of \$35 a credit.

Financial Aid and Net Price

Many students receive financial aid to help offset the cost of attending PSU. In 2019/2020, 84% of full-time undergraduates received financial aid, averaging \$8,827 per student. This aid can come in the form of grants, scholarships, and fellowships from the institution or government agencies.

The average reported annual net price for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was \$12,509 in 2019/2020. The net price is a more realistic estimate of the true cost of attending PSU after common grants and scholarships are taken into account.

To apply for a Pell Grant, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Tuition and Fees Comparison

Compared to national averages, Portland State University's in-state tuition and fees are generally less expensive, while out-of-state tuition and fees are higher than the national average.

Estimated Future Costs

Tuition and fees at Portland State University have been increasing over the years. In-state tuition and fees grew with an average annual rate of 4.49% over the past five years.

Additional Considerations

Washington Border Discount (WBD): Participants in the WBD program pay a reduced non-resident rate equal to 110% of the base resident rate plus any applicable differentials.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): Participants in the WUE program pay a reduced non-resident rate equal to 150% of the base resident rate.
Native American Tuition Program: Participants in the Native American Tuition Program will pay the resident rate regardless of state or country of residence.

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