Portland: The community is our campus.

Portland State University’s vibrant location in the middle of a major city guarantees students are always steps from excitement and action. Parks, museums, cafes, theaters, shopping, acclaimed restaurants, and professional sports are all easily accessible.

Established in 1946 to meet the educational needs of GIs home from World War II battlefields, Portland State found its first home in Vanport, a former community along the Columbia River. Following the tragic Vanport Flood, the campus moved to Lincoln Hall in Portland’s South Park Blocks in 1952 and now stretches across 44 downtown acres, retaining a park-like beauty within its urban setting.

Students and faculty often gather in the Park Blocks to talk or study. PSU’s Urban Center is home to the busiest public transportation hub in the city. It’s the only location in the city where TriMet’s bus system, Portland Streetcar, and the MAX light rail line come together. Hundreds of students get to campus under their own power, commuting by foot or bicycle along Portland’s pedestrian and bike-friendly streets.

With urban sophistication, small-town accessibility, and many outdoor activities, Portland and Portland State offer a great living and learning experience.