• Undergraduates learn in small interdisciplinary communities and engage in community-based learning programs. The University Studies curriculum prepares students for lifelong success--arming graduates with academic knowledge, refined interpersonal skills, and authentic work experience.

• For the fifth consecutive year, Portland State University's curriculum ranks among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2007, which features Portland State under the section "Academic Programs to Look For."

• Portland State University was selected as on of the "Best Colleges in the West" in the Princeton Review book Best 361 Colleges, 2007 Edition.

• Another Princeton Review book, Colleges with a Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement, listed Portland State for excellent service-learning programs and blending academics with community work. See the Princeton Review's profile of Portland State.

• Portland State University earned a place on the U.S. President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. It is one of only 141 colleges, universities, and professional schools nationally to be recognized for distinguished community service.

• The Business Outreach Program has been instrumental in creating and assisting over 400 minority owned businesses in North and Northeast Portland through long-term mentoring relationships.

• A report released by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, "College Learning for the New Global Century," recognizes Portland State as a leader in fostering civic, intercultural, and ethical learning. The report highlights the University Studies program, which "helps students become more aware of their own biases and prejudices and deepens students' understanding of sociopolitical issues." [ download the report in portable document format]

• The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recently selected Portland State University and 75 other U.S. colleges and universities for its new Community Engagement classification. Portland State was one of only 62 schools to receive classification in both categories: Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships.

• Through the Senior Capstone program alone, more than 160 community-based research projects are completed per year, addressing community-identified needs. Annually, more than 7,800 PSU students, faculty, and staff formally engage in community partnerships through academic courses, research, and other volunteer hours. Its students contribute over 1.3 million hours volunteer hours every year--a value of $20 million annually--through the University's community-based learning curriculum. Over 400 community businesses and organizations benefit annually from partnerships with PSU students and faculty--to date, more than 1,000 partners have been served.

View more reasons to choose Portland State.