Your Daily Guide

The State of Higher Education in Portland

Tuition is going up again for undergrads at Portland State and Oregon's six other public universities — in-state students can expect to see that sticker price increase by about $600. This is the 12th year in a row that these schools have increased the cost of admission for incoming freshmen, making them, on average, the most expensive public higher education institutions in the West. In addition to flat or declining enrollment (PSU's student body has shrunk by 40% since 2017), board members at these universities have cited inflation and higher labor costs as being among the reasons for the tuition hikes. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]

• Another reason it's so expensive: State investment in higher education is "relatively meager" in Oregon, according to Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education director Ben Cannon. Tuition and fees account for more than half of revenue at Oregon universities — one of the highest proportions in the nation. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]
• Portland State University: Facing a $35 million deficit, PSU floated the possibility of cutting their entire general education program and laying off as many as 200 faculty and staff members earlier this year. Two other departments are also on the chopping block, and another dozen are facing reductions. Some faculty, however, criticized this plan as “hasty and unimaginative.” [KATU, Higher Ed Dive]
• Other Portland-area schools: Portland Community College has also made cuts in recent years due to declining enrollment and reduced funding, including last year's closure of the much-loved Music and Sonic Arts program. Nearby Linfield University is also facing a budget deficit and potential cuts. [PDX Monthly, OPB]
• Reed College: Though tuition at Reed College is also going up, the school began offering free tuition in 2025 to Oregon and Washington students whose families make less than $100K annually. In the upcoming school year, this "Reed Promise" will be extended to all undergraduates. [Oregonian]

Self-Driving Cars Coming to Portland?

On Tuesday, Waymo announced that it's coming to Portland, but has yet to announce a start date for its service. Waymo drivers will begin mapping the city, though there are some regulatory hurdles to overcome before these self-driving vehicles take to the streets. [KATU]

47,000 Oregonians Lose SNAP Food Benefits

Since the passage of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” last year, 6% of Oregonians on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have lost their monthly food benefits. Even with the Oregon Department of Human Services' push to help people stay on SNAP, in March alone, 14,000 still lost food assistance because of the stricter work requirements. Another 7,000 are in danger of getting dropped this month. [Oregonian]

• Related: Double Up Food Bucks 2026 currency is now available for use at participating farmers markets. [Instagram]

Oregon Butter Gets International Recognition

Oregon’s Springfield Creamery, maker of Nancy’s Probiotic Foods, came out on top at an international food competition in France. Facing off against 57 other countries at the 2026 Concours International de Lyon, Nancy's butter was the only gold medal win for the United States in the cheese and dairy category. [Oregonian]

Would a Vacancy Tax Revitalize Downtown?

Today on the podcast, we’re talking about the push to develop a new entertainment district in downtown Portland, the uproar from the business community as the idea of a vacancy tax is explored in city council, and whether In-N-Out is worth the hype. Joining host Claudia Meza are Chris Pink, owner of the Paris Theater, and senior producer Giulia Fiaoni. [City Cast Portland 🎧]