Lewis & Clark College: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Portland, Oregon · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
78%
6,328 applicants
Avg SAT
In-state tuition
$64,828
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$36,013
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Lewis & Clark College is a private nonprofit university in Portland, Oregon that admits about 78% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $36,013 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Biology, General and International Relations and National Security Studies, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 75% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 6.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Lewis & Clark College is a private institution located in Portland, Oregon. For the most recent reporting cycle, Lewis & Clark College admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 78%. Admitted students typically post an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $36,013 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Lewis & Clark College?

69% of enrolled students at Lewis & Clark College had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
12.6%
3.75–3.99
33.6%
3.50–3.74
22.8%
3.25–3.49
14.9%
3.00–3.24
10.8%
2.50–2.99
5.3%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Lewis & Clark College.

What does Lewis & Clark College weight in admissions?

Lewis & Clark College reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important7 factors
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

SAT and ACT scores Lewis & Clark College typically admits

Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.

ACT Composite
25th percentile
50th percentile30
75th percentile
% submitting ACT4%
Current testing policy
  • Test-blind: Lewis & Clark College does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
  • • Policy detail: Not considered

How much does Lewis & Clark College actually cost?

Published tuition is $64,828 for in-state students and $64,828 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,648 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $36,013 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$67,614
Room and board$16,258
Average net price (after aid)$36,013
Application fee

Application deadlines and early decision data for Lewis & Clark College

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/15
Notification dateApril 1
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
ED acceptance rate71%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Lewis & Clark College?

These predict outcomes at Lewis & Clark College better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
86.1%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
62.8%
finished on time
6-year graduation
75.1%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Lewis & Clark College

The most popular undergraduate programs at Lewis & Clark College, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Biology, General and International Relations and National Security Studies. Across all programs, Lewis & Clark College confers roughly 279 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $49,969 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Psychology, General66$49,969
Biology, General43$49,175
International Relations and National Security Studies39$61,511
Sociology and Anthropology33
Natural Resources Conservation and Research29
English Language and Literature, General26
Communication and Media Studies22$64,056
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology21
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Lewis & Clark College safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Lewis & Clark College disclosed 13 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 6.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 12 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
13
6.1 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.47 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
12
5.66 per 1,000
Burglary
0
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 2,120 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Lewis & Clark College?

About 68% of undergraduates at Lewis & Clark College live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
68%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
0%
of men
In sororities
0%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Lewis & Clark College.

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Next steps for Lewis & Clark College

Common questions parents ask about Lewis & Clark College

What GPA do I need for Lewis & Clark College?

69% of enrolled students at Lewis & Clark College had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Lewis & Clark College typically admit?

Lewis & Clark College is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.

How much does Lewis & Clark College actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Lewis & Clark College after grants and scholarships is $36,013 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $64,828. Budget against the net figure.

Is Lewis & Clark College realistic for my child?

Lewis & Clark College admits 78% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $36,013 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Lewis & Clark College?

Lewis & Clark College accepts about 78% of applicants out of roughly 6,328 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Lewis & Clark College test-optional?

Lewis & Clark College is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.

What is the graduation rate at Lewis & Clark College?

About 75% of students at Lewis & Clark College graduate within six years, and 63% finish in four years. 86% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Lewis & Clark College?

Lewis & Clark College's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 71%, compared with its overall rate of 78%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.

What does Lewis & Clark College look for in applicants?

Lewis & Clark College rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Lewis & Clark College a public or private school, and where is it located?

Lewis & Clark College is a private nonprofit institution located in Portland, Oregon.

What are the most popular majors at Lewis & Clark College?

The largest undergraduate majors at Lewis & Clark College by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Biology, General and International Relations and National Security Studies. The school awards about 279 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Lewis & Clark College safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Lewis & Clark College reported 13 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 6.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Lewis & Clark College?

At Lewis & Clark College, 68% of undergraduates live on campus, 0% of men are in fraternities, 0% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Lewis & Clark College, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers