11,274
jobs
Our Impact
Driving Portland's Economic, Social and Cultural Resurgence
At PSU, we know there’s more than one way to serve the city. From our urban campus, we train the future workforce and help students thrive. We turn research into on-the-ground impact. We tackle complex issues by building public impact-focused partnerships. And we provide spaces for community connection and discourse in our lecture halls, plazas, recreation fields, community gardens and greenspaces. All to build a better future for our city and the people who call it home.
$73.7M
in research expenditures
$1.8B
in economic impact
1M
student service hours
5,500+
degrees awarded annually
Putting new ideas into action
PSU researchers are working to ready the city of Portland for a high-intensity earthquake, strengthen the region’s defenses against wildfires, prepare diverse students for careers in the semiconductor industry and more.
Investing in the future of Portland
Portland State is downtown Portland’s most active developer having completed capital projects worth $884 million, including seven major building projects since 2010. It’s just one piece of the university’s $1.8 billion annual economic impact on the region.
Stories of Impact
PSU Researcher Develops AI Guardian for Future Mars Missions
When help is millions of miles away, astronauts need reliable support. Portland State researchers are developing a specialized AI system designed to monitor spacecraft health and assist crews during long-duration Mars missions. This "AI guardian" ensures astronaut safety when real-time communication with Earth is impossible.
PSU Releases New 2025 Statewide Homelessness Report
The Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative has released its latest statewide estimates, revealing that homelessness in Oregon grew to 27,119 people in 2025. While shelter capacity increased by 39%, rising rents and economic pressure continue to outpace available resources. Explore the data to see the regional impact.
PSU Researchers Work to Strengthen Region’s Defenses Against Wildfires
The climate crisis has increased the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the western United States. At PSU, researchers are working to increase wildfire awareness, prevention and mitigation in the Pacific Northwest, undertaking their effort from different angles, which fits the complexity of the issue.
New Federal Funding Powers PSU Semiconductor Innovation and Research
Portland State is launching the Semiconductor Innovation and Nanoscience Center thanks to $2 million in federal funding. The center provides students with hands-on access to industry-standard tools, like an atomic-level microscope, to prepare them for high-wage careers in Oregon's growing tech sector.
The High Cost of Delay: Study Reveals Risks of Missed Hep B Vaccinations
An OHSU-PSU School of Public Health study finds that delaying infant Hepatitis B vaccines would result in a sharp increase in preventable infections, deaths and healthcare costs. Since universal vaccination began in 1991, pediatric infections have dropped by 90% — a massive achievement that researchers warn must not be undone.
PSU STUDY EXAMINES MEASURE 110 AND DRUG POLICY SHIFTS
A PSU study finds little evidence that Measure 110 drove rising crime or overdose deaths, instead pointing to COVID-19 and fentanyl as major factors. The three-year project examined multiple Oregon drug policy shifts and underscores the need for well-resourced treatment services to make future reforms effective.