Portland State University

I graduated from this university with my bachelors degree, and I won't say to much but if you decide to come here remember to think for yourself, this university will definitely make you believe and think a certain way, but if you stay firm to what you believe in and love yourself you will go far and be good. I loved the friends i met here and most of the support staff were awesome.

The campus is beautiful, you will definitely enjoy the campus as a whole. Beautiful colors and just over friendly environment.

I wish I could give negative stars because this is how I feel. I am an alumni of this school and graduated back in 2017. I made the decision to come back for a second degree in order to further my career and that now feels like a huge mistake. I applied for financial aid in order to cover the costs and then my work will reimburse me when I pass. Well working with the financial aide office has been a nightmare and a half.
First, they suspended my status due to 3 failed classes in 2017 post my graduation that I don't even remember taking. Initially I called in to see why my status even changed because all I had was an option to fill out a petition to say what has changed in my situation. When I called I was told my gpa was below 2.0 and I needed to email wade directly because he was too busy to speak with me.
I then emailed Wade back asking for clarification because my transcript showed a much higher gpa than that. My overall gpa, the percent of my classes passed all met the requirements. I also did not fail two semesters in a row. Furthermore, my status changed from good to advisory in 2017 after this mysterious failed semester but in 2019 I was changed to suspended even though I didn't attend past fall of 2017.
I have sent in total probably 7 emails and a few of those directly to Wade with no reply. All I get back is generic copy and paste emails back from people but if I call im told he is too busy to speak with me, I had to make an appointment with an advisor to get a plan signed to petition and was told to do the drop in because it was quicker. When I did the drop in the person was extremely rude to me rushing me along and told me the drop in was not for this issue.
I now have 2 days to get them to approve my aid otherwise I have to drop to avoid being charged fees but I cant get anyone to help me. Despite research I cant find anyone above their heads that would actually listen to me nor do I have time to work full time and attempt to reach people who don't care to help me.
I caution anyone who wants to go to this school especially if you need aid in order to go because it seems like they don't have enough people who take any time to research things working there.

I graduated from Portland State back in 2020- it is very much a utilitarian college (or as they say, a "commuter college.") Nothing wrong with that at all, as I was not a traditional student and finished my degree in my mid 20's (the average student age is something in the 30's, if I recall correctly.) I have quite a few thoughts on the school, which I will list as pros, cons and "maybes" for more subjective parts:

Pros:

- Location, right in the middle of downtown Portland. I lived in North Portland when I attended and I only had to take one bus straight to downtown. If you drive, it's pretty easy to access from all the main freeways.

- Instructors/Professors. I've had almost all wonderful, intelligent and kind instructors at PSU. Pretty much everyone I dealt with was professional and flexible- when I'd ask for an extension or chance for a redo, I was almost always granted the opportunity. Absolutely no complaints about that.

Maybes:

- Lack of social life and college activities. There are some, don't get me wrong, but nowhere near as many as other colleges. I think there is one fraternity and sorority, but this school is mainly for people wanting to just do college and not be involved socially. This can be good if you're an older student or don't care for "college life." But can be a con if you want that sort of a college experience.

- Administration. The school would rather focus on building new, "enticing" buildings rather than give their staff raises or ensure their campuses are well secured. Tuition rates go up frequently yet there seems to be shrinking amenities. Never been a fan of the administration and how they handle the college- but again, this may not matter to everyone.

Cons:

- Even though it is accessible by public transit and they provide discounted passes, the lack of security made me go back to driving and getting a parking pass. This isn't really the college's fault but rather Trimet's, but the lack of parking can be frustrating and they keep jacking up parking prices.

- Lack of affordable food options. When I was attending you could either shop at the overpriced markets/food stands at the school, the several overpriced restaurants nearby and the grossly overpriced and pretentious Green Zebra. Toward the end of my tenure, they finally built a CVS close to the campus that offered affordable drinks and snacks which I celebrated.

- Safety issues. It's probably been repeated on here frequently, but the security issues were starting to become unbearable by the time I graduated (and I hear they are now even worse.) I was once verbally berated in a public space while waiting for my class to start because a classmate and I were chatting and they said we were "talking too loud." We suggested they go to the library to study if they feel the need for absolute quiet, since we were in a lobby where quietness isn't expected. They proceeded to insult us and escalate to the point where we almost called security. Another classmate was assaulted a few blocks from the school. It has become a daily occurrence that a disturbance happens, and the local police shrug and ask if you want to file a report.

So that's how I feel about PSU- it's a fairly affordable option and one that provides a more urban environment. I almost considered them for my Master's program, but withdrew my interest after having a negative experience with their billing department. Also found out it was cheaper at George Fox and closer to where I live now.

Portland State university is a dump and they don't maintain their facilities.
I am a retail tenant and the air conditioning does not work.

This organization will rip your soul out of your body and try and make you pay them for their services in addition to charging you fee after fee to return your soul. Funniest fee was being charged a 3rd party billing fee every quarter and then when I went to pay it, they use a 3rd party billing service to collect their "fee". Does this mean that I can charge them a 3rd party payment fee for making me jump through hoop after hoop in addition to my tuition? BTW this is funnier than being charged for building use fees throughout the whole pandemic when the campus was shut down and off-limits LMFAO. COLLEGE IS THE BIGGEST SCAM. Oh and don't let these F***s fool you, they implemented the new fees during the pandemic. The only 3rd party billing in 2018-2019 was for "Graduate School of Education ‐ 
Off‐Site Partner Courses: courses offered if partner organization can guarantee a minimum enrollment and use the 3rd party billing  procedures"

So yeah they suck LOL They only care about making your money their money..... any way they can, even during a pandemic. All together my ass

I never went to this university but if mine had a younger Oregon brother then PDX SU would fit the bill. I feel like an idiot for not applying to this place but that's okay because I go to SJSU. In light of that I have to speak from a traveler's point. I must declare trying to ride my tram through this university keeps reminding me of how similar this place is with my university. Love the transportation availability here, it's better than my university. Parking is cheap here because almost everyone rides the streeetcar or tram. The buildings are almost the same and the out of state tuition is same as a California in-state. Grad programs are cheap here for everyone. There are a lot of low cost programs that can fit any students budget. They have good organic food to eat here. Diverse like my university.
Drawback: This place needs a serious update because some of the buildings look like a derelict courthouse. The dorms are too expensive it's better to live farther away from campus. Why are they not hiring enough janitors like at SJSU? It could help the campus. Would give more star if they provided the grad program that I want. This place is understaffed too.

This is not your dad's Portland State University. I graduated from here the first time in 1990. It was way different back then, and I would have given it two and a half Stars. As I said, this is not your father's PSU anymore. The engineering program now is much more creative, well-equipped, and the teachers are excellent. They have the latest and Engineering software. The labs are also well equipped now. I am sure my second time around is going to be a much more rewarding. I am sure at my attempt at graduate school in engineering at age 52 will be successful, right!

Gouging cash strapped students left and right is the name of the game. I don't normally drive but the few times I did --garage parking 4$/hr, they are hoping you are 1 min late - $35 ticket. Any food or drink on campus --you pay double. The green zebra is the most overpriced "health food" grocer around. There are a million other examples but the parking was ticket was the last straw.

Some of the teachers are amazing but most are adjunct and don't get proper benefits and are probably as strapped as students. So where is all the money from this new tuition hike going?? Hint: won't benefit students or teachers.

Bike hub and shac dental are a plus.

Graduated from this program with a bachelor of science in architecture. I can unequivocally say that I was forced to think certain way to receive the grades necessary to graduate. PSU is a truly state funded groupthink organization. Bill Bridwell

It's sad that students come here to higher their education but the school is so money hungry they're willing to take away any scholarship money you earned of your own volition and hold onto it. The pandemic literally effected the entire world and these greedy financial aid officers withheld scholarship money and said the pandemic wasn't a good enough reason for students to move back home (some out of state) with their families to wait out the pandemic and try to attend online school. When students ask for their money to enroll back in they tell them they can't access their money because they're not living within Oregon and believe students will commit fraud and take the money on run. Literally we were told we had to prove we were worthy of our scholarships we already earned and show the school that we could pay for an entire semester out of our own pockets and not only maintain a 4.0, but had to receive 100% in a full course load semester. To add insult to injury of the final grade ended up being less than 100% they would revoke the scholarship and leave students to suffer on their own financially without any accountability on their end. Suffice to say 100% was earned, but the level of stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep induced by these unrealistic standards a greedy university put fort on students during a world wide pandemic should only prove that this uni doesn't care about your mental welfare, only your money. I boycott portland and any of its' subsidiary schools tied to it and ask all students affected by this ponzi scheme voice your concerns and complaints to the highest degree.