University of Portland (UP)

Portland, USA

Recommended

Type of institution:

University

Age range:17+

Type of training:

Full-time
Part-time
Hybrid
Online

Language of instruction:

english

Year of foundation:1901

About the University of Portland (UP)

The University of Portland is a private Catholic university founded in 1901 as Columbia University by the Archdiocese of Portland with the support of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the same order that founded the University of Notre Dame. It has carried its current name since 1935. The university describes itself as Oregon's only comprehensive Catholic university. The campus sits on a bluff above the Willamette River in North Portland, about 4 miles from downtown; the stated campus area varies from 72 to 125 acres. Total enrollment is about 3,300–4,200, including about 3,000–3,900 undergraduates, and the student-faculty ratio is 9:1. Structure: College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business (called the Pamplin School of Business until 2025), Shiley School of Engineering, School of Nursing and Health Innovations, School of Education and the Graduate School. The business school is AACSB-accredited. The best-known areas are nursing, engineering and business. Institutional accreditation is by NWCCU.

Admission conditions in University of Portland (UP)

• Apply through the Common App or the UP application. • Documents: official high school transcript and application; an essay and recommendation letters are also typically required. • International applicants must show English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo and others) • Study format is on-campus, and most undergraduates live on campus. • Air Force ROTC (Detachment 695) is available.

Minimum rating for admission to University of Portland (UP)

• There is no single minimum score. • Admitted students' ACT range is 25–31. • Average high school GPA is about 3.69. • Acceptance rate ranges from about 77–78% to 89–97% depending on the year and source (97% for fall 2025 per Wikipedia). Admission is only lightly selective, although US News rates it "selective".

Prospects after completing studies in University of Portland (UP)

• First-year retention is about 88%, and the six-year graduation rate is 76–81%. • Graduate earnings 10 years after enrollment are about $56,400–62,500; median debt is about $21,400. • The most in-demand profiles are nursing and other health professions (about 27% of graduates), business (14%), engineering (10%) and biology (8%). • Typical salaries by field (bachelor's): nursing about $78,600, electrical and communications engineering about $70,300; business master's about $72,500. • For continued study, UP itself offers 18 master's programs (including communication, drama, theology, nursing, education, business) and doctoral nursing programs. • The degree is American-style; regional accreditation ensures recognition in the US, and international recognition is via standard credential evaluation.