Portland: The community is our campus.
Portland State University’s prized 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 close.
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 federal housing project along the Columbia River. The campus moved to Lincoln Hall in Portland’s South Park Blocks in 1952 and now encompasses 50 city blocks, 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 stands at the busiest public transportation hub in the city. It’s the only location in the city where TriMet’s bus system, Portland Streetcar, and MAX light rail line come together. Thousands 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.