The goal of Portland State University is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic qualities of urban life through liberal education and their vision of "Let Knowledge Serve the City." Located in the heart of Portland's cultural, economic and social center, the university's students, faculty, graduates, and staff are engaged in the community by contributing to the economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life in Portland.

Portland State University's high quality educational environment links faculty, students and research to projects in the community and reflects issues important to the region. 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.

The diverse students at Portland State University enrich each classroom experience with an array of perspectives. Students' access to top-notch research, faculty, and facilities, along with the university's location in the heart of the region's technology and cultural core, create an education unparalleled among Oregon colleges and all schools in the Pacific Northwest.