Profile

Green--it's more than our school color, it's our school spirit. The sustainable design of every new building on campus with eco-roofs and energy efficient systems; research into alternative energy sources like solar panels; aggressive waste reduction and recycling programs; a curriculum that encourages students to consider issues from economic, social, and environmental viewpoints. Those commitments combine to set Portland State apart as the most sustainable urban university in the nation.

• The Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, part of the College of Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA) at Portland State University, is the nation's oldest continuously operating instructional program in urban studies. The Journal of Urban Affairs ranked Portland State's doctoral program in urban studies fifth nationally. CUPA and its faculty are highly regarded and ranked worldwide by peers and organizations.

• The New England Board of Higher Education recognized Portland State as one of 25 universities considered "Saviors of Our Cities" for exemplary examples of community revitalization and cultural renewal, economic drivers of the local economy, and advocates of community service and urban development.

• The 2010 Beyond Grey Pinstripes report ranked Portland State University's MBA program in the top 25 worldwide. The survey rates schools on the degree to which they integrate social and environmental stewardship into MBA curricula and faculty research. Portland State was recognized for the caliber of its faculty research, and the emphasis on social and environmental awareness in required core MBA courses. In addition, Portland State offers MBA students the option to specialize in environmental sustainability through its Environmental Science and Management department.

• Salmon-Safe, a nonprofit devoted to restoring agricultural and urban watersheds so that salmon can spawn and thrive, certified Portland State as the nation's first "Salmon-Safe" university for landscaping and storm water management.

• The New York Times featured The Broadway building at Portland State University, a 384-apartment student residence, for leading the way in "The Greening of America's Campuses." (January 8, 2006)

• PSU received a LEED Gold rating, the second-highest certification tier possible, for its Northwest Center for Engineering, Science and Technology. LEED or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Ranking System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.

• The Portland Tribune featured Portland State for its advanced sustainability practices, "PSU gets an 'A' for its green efforts." (September 10, 2006)

• Planetizen, an online planning and development network, recently ranked Portland State's graduate program for urban planning 24th out of 94 collegiate urban planning programs.

View more reasons to choose Portland State.