Portland State University

What Portland State University does

Portland State University is a public research university within the Oregon University System, founded in 1946 as the Vanport Extension Center and renamed PSU in 1969. Headquartered at 1825 SW Broadway in downtown Portland, Oregon, the institution operates across ten colleges and schools — including the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, the School of Business, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Urban & Public Affairs, Education, the Arts, Social Work, University Honors, the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health joint venture, and the Graduate School — offering over 200 undergraduate and graduate academic programs.

The university serves a diverse student body through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities, with online enrollment reportedly three times higher than pre-pandemic levels. Its technology infrastructure relies on third-party enterprise platforms: Canvas LMS for course delivery, Google Workspace for productivity, Atlassian tools (Jira Service Management, Confluence) for institutional operations, and a Single Sign-On identity layer. PSU markets itself as Oregon's most affordable and most diverse public research university, with a Tuition-Free Degree program covering undergraduate tuition for eligible Oregon residents and differentiated support services for military-affiliated students (~1,000 served annually), transfer students, and Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes.

PSU's revenue mechanics differ fundamentally from a commercial enterprise: funding flows from Oregon state appropriations, tuition (both undergraduate and graduate, billed quarterly), competitive federal and state research grants (NSF, DOE, IES, NEH, HECC), and donor giving. The institution is currently executing the PIVOT Plan to address a projected $35 million deficit driven by declining enrollment and state funding, eliminating 19 academic departments and over 200 faculty/staff positions while simultaneously investing in federally-aligned growth verticals including semiconductor workforce development (FAST partnership, Oregon CHIPS Act funding), energy equity research (SEQUINS project), behavioral health (OCEBHA), and offshore wind energy (Johns Hopkins collaboration).

Name

Portland State University

Legal name

Portland State University

Website

https://pdx.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Portland State University is a public research university in downtown Portland, Oregon, offering 200+ academic programs across ten colleges to undergraduate, graduate, transfer, and military-affiliated students, funded primarily through Oregon state appropriations, tuition, and federal research grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban/Metropolitan Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF), Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Public research university
• Student support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Portland State University is a public research university that provides in-person and online undergraduate and graduate education across 200+ academic programs housed in 10 colleges and schools. The university also delivers research programs in energy, semiconductors, public health, and AI, alongside student support services including academic advising, veteran services, health and counseling, and various cultural resource centers. Tuition is offered on a per-quarter basis with a tuition-free degree option covering undergraduate tuition and most mandatory fees for eligible Oregon residents.

Product overview

Portland State University operates as a public research university with a portfolio of educational programs and student support services rather than commercial technology products. The university provides academic advising through seven thematic pathways, student resource centers (Women's Resource Center, Veterans Resource Center), health and counseling services (SHAC with Confidential Advocacy), and technology support services (OIT Help Desk, Single Sign-On, Jira Service Management). Research initiatives include smart grid development, semiconductor technology, floating offshore wind, and AI systems for space exploration. The institution uses enterprise platforms including Canvas LMS, Google Workspace, Banner, and Atlassian tools for operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vikings: Athletics teams mascot and brand identity for Portland State University
• PIVOT Plan

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Bachelor's degree programs across 200+ majors in 10 colleges (College of Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Arts, Urban & Public Affairs, Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, School of Social Work, The Graduate School, School of Business, and University Honors College) for first-time college students, transfer students, and postbaccalaureate learners.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs across multiple schools including engineering, business, social work, public health, urban studies, and education for post-bachelor's students seeking advanced study and research opportunities.
• Tuition-Free Degree Program Tuition-free pathway covering undergraduate tuition and most mandatory fees for eligible Oregon residents, addressing affordability for in-state undergraduates.
• Online and Remote Learning Programs Flexible online and remote course options delivered via Canvas LMS, enabling working students and those needing schedule flexibility to complete degrees without on-campus attendance.
• Veterans Resource Center Services Comprehensive support services for veterans and military-affiliated students including VA benefits guidance, enrollment support, quiet study spaces, kitchen area, food pantry, and coffee, contributing to PSU's Military Friendly Gold Award recognition.
• PSU CARES Student Support Program Student support program that connects students experiencing distress with resources including housing assistance, financial support, health/mental health referrals, academic petition help, and safety planning.
• Confidential Advocacy Services Trauma-informed support and resources at the Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) for sexual violence survivors including safety planning, basic needs assistance, housing support, legal assistance, academic accommodations, and campus process support.
• Sexual Misconduct Response Services Comprehensive support services for sexual assault, harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking including confidential advocates, counseling, medical care, legal services, and reporting options.
• Women's Resource Center Resource center providing community engagement opportunities, feminist leadership education, and intersectional feminist support including free sexual health supplies, menstrual products, feminist and queer library, free printing, and meeting/study rooms.
• Academic Advising Pathways Seven themed advising pathways grouping similar majors together (Business; Design, Creativity & Performance; Engineering, CS, Math & Physics; Health, Science & the Earth; Language, Culture & Meaning; Society & Identity; Urban, Public & Global Affairs) providing continuous advisor support when students change majors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ academic programs across 10 colleges and schools
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Frontiers of Advanced Semiconductor Technology (FAST) PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026PSU is part of the FAST partnership led by Oregon State University. Eight grantees received $8.5 million from Oregon's Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund to build workforce pathways in the semiconductor industry, funded by Oregon CHIPS Act dollars.
• Western University of Health SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026New partnership creating an academic pathway for PSU students to pursue medical degrees at WesternU. This partnership expands healthcare education opportunities and creates a pipeline for future medical professionals.
• Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2024Collaborative research project on floating offshore wind farms funded by NSF and DOE Wind Energy Technologies Office. Joint research aims to improve design and optimization tools for deep ocean wind farms focusing on fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and ocean environmental characterization.
• SEQUINS Consortium PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2023PSU leads the SEQUINS project (Smart Energy Equity and Integrated Grid Solutions) funded by $1 million NSF grant. The project involves multiple universities, government agencies, and industry partners to develop a strategic plan for a smarter and more equitable energy system in the Pacific Northwest over two years, with potential up to $160 million in future funding.
• UO and OSU (Innovation Engines Grant)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2023UO, OSU, and PSU each received $1 million federal 'Innovation Engines' grants through the NSF program to foster innovation and research competitiveness among their respective institutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Oregon: Sister public research university within the Oregon University System; competes directly with PSU for Oregon-resident undergraduates, faculty talent, and state appropriations, with a larger enrollment and stronger athletics brand.
• Oregon State University: Sister Oregon public research university that co-receives state innovation grants with PSU and leads the FAST semiconductor partnership in which PSU participates; competes for research funding and graduate students.
• Washington State University: Pacific Northwest public research university comparable in scale and public-mission focus, competing for regional students and federal research dollars across similar disciplines.
• University of Colorado Denver: Urban-metropolitan public research university with a comparable downtown campus, diversity focus, and mix of professional/graduate schools; closely mirrors PSU's urban-affordable positioning.
• Cleveland State University: Urban public research university with comparable enrollment scale, downtown campus, and mission serving non-traditional and commuter students; faces similar enrollment and state-funding pressures as PSU.
• University of Massachusetts Boston: Urban public research university on a coastal metro waterfront with a strong diversity and access mission, serving a comparable mix of commuter, first-generation, and transfer students.
• San Francisco State University: Urban public university within the California State system with a similar diversity, affordability, and community-engagement value proposition, competing for similar student demographics in a major West Coast metro.
• Wayne State University: Urban public research university in Detroit with a comparable enrollment scale, strong health-sciences and engineering programs, and similar pressure from enrollment shifts and state-appropriation dynamics.
• University of Houston-Downtown: Urban-serving public university with a comparable focus on affordability, working adults, transfer students, and a downtown metropolitan campus in a major U.S. city.

Broad incumbents

• University of Washington: Larger flagship Pacific Northwest public research university that competes with PSU for in-region research talent, federal grant dollars, and out-of-state tuition revenue; broader portfolio but overlapping mission in urban-impact research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/portland_state
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PortlandStateU/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/60470598871
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/portland-state-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/portlandstate

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Portland State University