“Oregon only comprehensive Catholic university — 9:1 student-faculty ratio, ABET-accredited engineering, nationally ranked nursing, and downtown Portland career access.”
The University of Portland is a private Catholic university founded in 1901 by the Congregation of Holy Cross — the same religious order that founded the University of Notre Dame. Located on a 108-acre bluff campus overlooking the Willamette River in north Portland, Oregon, UP is the only comprehensive Catholic university in the Pacific Northwest, offering five undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. School of Business, the School of Education, the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing and Health Innovations. With approximately 3,000 undergraduates and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio — among the lowest at any comprehensive Catholic university west of the Mississippi — the University of Portland delivers an intimate educational experience that blends rigorous academics with strong values formation. The test-optional admissions policy (extended through Fall 2026) and an acceptance rate of approximately 89% make UP accessible to a wide range of applicants while maintaining academic quality. College Scorecard median earnings of $82,804 for graduates ten years after enrollment reflect the strength of UP nursing, engineering, and business programs. For international students, the University of Portland offers a welcoming Catholic community in one of America's most livable cities. Portland is a major Pacific Rim hub with significant technology, healthcare, and manufacturing employers including Nike, Intel, Adidas North American headquarters, and major healthcare networks. Engineering graduates qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, while nursing graduates are positioned for clinical employment subject to NCLEX licensure. International student merit scholarships of $2,000-$3,000 per year are automatically awarded to qualifying engineering and nursing admits.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Universities West
US News Best Colleges 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding; merit scholarship priority consideration; notification by December 15
Regular Decision
Priority deadline for financial aid consideration
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$60,350
/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.
ABET-accredited engineering programs with strong industry ties to Portland-area tech and manufacturing employers. Small class sizes and hands-on project-based learning throughout the curriculum.
One of Oregon top nursing schools, with clinical partnerships at Providence Health, Legacy Health, and OHSU. Providence Scholars Program provides substantial tuition assistance for qualifying nursing students.
AACSB-accredited business school with concentrations in accounting, finance, management, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Liberal arts core covering natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Strong pre-professional programs in pre-medicine, pre-law, and pre-graduate studies.
Teacher preparation and educational leadership programs with field placements throughout the Portland metro area.
4 years
ACEN-accredited BSN program with clinical rotations at Providence Health, Legacy Health, and Oregon Health and Science University. Providence Scholars Program provides significant tuition assistance for top students. Strong NCLEX pass rates and healthcare employment placement in the Pacific Northwest.
4 years
ABET-accredited civil engineering program. Portland offers one of the most active infrastructure markets in the U.S., providing strong internship and employment pipelines. STEM OPT eligible.
4 years
Rigorous computer science program preparing graduates for software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity roles in Portland tech sector and beyond. STEM OPT eligible.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $58,100
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.
