Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
Portland State University reports a middle 50% SAT of 1100 to 1290 (enrolled, fall 2023 CDS 2023-24). We use 1200 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1100 to 1290 (enrolled, fall 2023 CDS 2023-24) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 19 to 27.5 |
| Acceptance rate | 90.9% (fall 2023 CDS 2023-24: 8,070 admitted of 8,877 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test-optional (public university, policy since 2020) |
| Type | Public university |
Source: Portland State official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
Only 2.15% of PSU's enrolled Fall 2023 first-years submitted an SAT score, among the lowest submission rates of any Oregon public university.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Reed College | 1320 to 1490 | 29.2% |
| Oregon State University | 1160 to 1390 | Not reported |
| Portland State University | 1100 to 1290 | 90.9% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Oregon Colleges.
Oregon has no statewide SAT-cutoff scholarship; its best-known competitive merit awards, the University of Oregon and Oregon State Presidential Scholarships, are GPA and holistic-review based with no SAT requirement for 2026-27.
Oregon State University Presidential Scholarship: $10,000 per year for up to 4 years; Oregon resident high school seniors with a minimum 3.85 unweighted or 4.20 weighted GPA, awarded through holistic review of the admission application.
University of Oregon Presidential Scholarship: $9,000 per year for up to 4 years; Oregon residents graduating from an Oregon high school, minimum 3.85 cumulative GPA, plus demonstrated leadership/volunteer history; renewal requires a 3.25 college GPA.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our Oregon SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion University | Virginia | 1120 to 1270 |
| University of Kansas | Kansas | 1100 to 1290 |
| University of Montana | Montana | 1110 to 1280 |
| Appalachian State University | North Carolina | 1110 to 1270 |
A score that is competitive at Portland State lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
Free tool
Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the Oregon colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1100 to 1290. A score at or above 1290 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1100 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. Portland State lists its policy as: Test-optional (public university, policy since 2020). A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
90.9% (fall 2023 CDS 2023-24: 8,070 admitted of 8,877 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for Portland State? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
Book your free Strategy Session