Lewis & Clark: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Lewis & Clark College · Portland, Oregon · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2024-2025
- Test-blind
- Early Decision
- Early Action
- 6,328
- Applicants
- 4,967
- Admitted78%
- 482
- Enrolled
- 10%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access78% admittedRanked #97 (tie) in National Liberal Arts CollegesU.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Lewis & Clark College (see the source), read on 2026-06-15.
Is Lewis & Clark a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Lewis & Clark against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Lewis & Clark 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 is a private institution located in Portland, Oregon. For the most recent reporting cycle, Lewis & Clark 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?
69% of enrolled students at Lewis & Clark had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
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What does Lewis & Clark weight in admissions?
Lewis & Clark reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Important
7- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Considered
5- Class rank
- Interview
- First generation status
- Geographical residence
- Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered
4- Standardized test scores
- Alumni/ae relation
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores Lewis & Clark typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 30 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| % submitting ACT | 4% |
- • Test-blind: Lewis & Clark does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Test-free: SAT/ACT not used in review (moved from test-optional, which it had since 1991).
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Lewis & Clark's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Lewis & Clark 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, and that is 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 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 92% |
| Average need-based grant | $55,903 |
| Average merit award, no financial need158 first-year students received one | $31,582 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 42% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $28,265 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | — |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Lewis & Clark
| Regular deadline | 1/15 |
| Notification date | April 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| ED acceptance rate | 71% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from Lewis & Clark?
These predict outcomes at Lewis & Clark better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Lewis & Clark
The most popular undergraduate programs at Lewis & Clark, 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 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
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 66 | $49,969 |
| Biology, General | 43 | $49,175 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 39 | $61,511 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 33 | n/a |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 29 | n/a |
| English Language and Literature, General | 26 | n/a |
| Communication and Media Studies | 22 | $64,056 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 21 | n/a |
Is Lewis & Clark safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Lewis & Clark 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
What is campus life like at Lewis & Clark?
About 68% of undergraduates at Lewis & Clark 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.
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Next steps for Lewis & Clark
Common questions parents ask about Lewis & Clark
What GPA do I need for Lewis & Clark?
69% of enrolled students at Lewis & Clark 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 typically admit?
Lewis & Clark 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 actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Lewis & Clark 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 realistic for my child?
Lewis & Clark 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?
Lewis & Clark accepts about 78% of applicants out of roughly 6,328 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Lewis & Clark test-optional?
Lewis & Clark is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at Lewis & Clark?
About 75% of students at Lewis & Clark 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?
Lewis & Clark'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 look for in applicants?
Lewis & Clark 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 a public or private school, and where is it located?
Lewis & Clark is a private nonprofit institution located in Portland, Oregon.
What are the most popular majors at Lewis & Clark?
The largest undergraduate majors at Lewis & Clark 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 safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Lewis & Clark 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?
At Lewis & Clark, 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