“Test-free, globally engaged, and rooted in Portland — a liberal arts college that believes the world is your classroom.”
Lewis & Clark College is a prestigious private liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1867 and situated on a stunning 137-acre forested campus atop Palatine Hill in the Collins View neighborhood. Nationally recognized for its commitment to sustainability, environmental leadership, and international engagement, Lewis & Clark attracts intellectually driven students who seek a rigorous, discussion-based academic environment embedded within one of the most vibrant and progressive cities in the United States. The campus is contiguous with the 645-acre Tryon Creek State Natural Area, creating a rare setting where ecological inquiry, outdoor recreation, and urban life intersect seamlessly. Lewis & Clark has been test-free in undergraduate admissions since 1991 — one of the earliest and longest-standing such policies in the country — reflecting a fundamental conviction that academic potential cannot be reduced to standardized metrics. The college offers 29 majors and 38 minors with particular strength in International Relations, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Biology, and the arts. A signature feature is the Overseas and Off-Campus Programs, which regularly sends more than 40% of students abroad during their undergraduate years — among the highest study-abroad participation rates in the nation. No application fee is required, underscoring the college's commitment to accessibility. Portland functions as a dynamic extended campus for Lewis & Clark students. The city's thriving technology sector, nationally recognized food and arts culture, progressive nonprofit community, and proximity to Pacific Northwest outdoor adventures provide an exceptional landscape for internships, civic engagement, and creative exploration. The college is further distinguished by its institutional generosity toward international students: approximately 95% of international undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance, reflecting a genuine institutional commitment to global accessibility. Lewis & Clark is further enriched by its three interconnected institutions — the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and the highly regarded Lewis & Clark Law School — creating a uniquely integrated intellectual community.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
National Liberal Arts Colleges
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Best Value Schools
US News 2026
Test Free — No test scores needed — they won't be reviewed even if submitted.
Official SourceEarly Decision
Binding; notification by December 15
Early Action
Non-binding; notification by January 1
Regular Decision
No application fee
This university does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$64,828
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Core undergraduate college offering 29 majors and 38 minors across humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences
Programs in mathematics, statistics, and computer science with STEM OPT potential
Laboratory-intensive science programs including biochemistry, chemistry, biology, and physics
Graduate programs in education, counseling, and school psychology
Top-ranked environmental law program and public interest law school
4 years
Lewis & Clark flagship program, enriched by one of the strongest study-abroad offerings in the country and close ties to Portland's international business and NGO community.
4 years
Integrates scientific, policy, and social perspectives, leveraging the adjacent Tryon Creek State Natural Area and Portland's nationally recognized sustainability ecosystem for fieldwork.
4 years
A growing STEM-eligible program situated steps from Portland's thriving technology industry, offering strong internship access and OPT/STEM OPT post-graduation pathways.
4 years
Rigorous pre-health and STEM-eligible major with access to undergraduate research opportunities and 3-2 engineering articulation agreements with leading universities.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $64,828
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
