University of Portland: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

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

Acceptance rate
89%
8,289 applicants
Median SAT
1300
Mid 50: 1168–1370
In-state tuition
$58,100
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$28,210
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

University of Portland is a private nonprofit university in Portland, Oregon that admits about 89% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $28,210 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Mechanical Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 80% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

University of Portland is a private institution located in Portland, Oregon. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Portland admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 89%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1300 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,210 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for University of Portland?

University of Portland has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Portland.

What does University of Portland weight in admissions?

University of Portland 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
Important6 factors
  • Class rank
  • Application essay
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

SAT and ACT scores University of Portland typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 643. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–31. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1168
50th percentile1300
75th percentile1370
% submitting SAT6%
ACT Composite
25th percentile25
50th percentile26
75th percentile31
% submitting ACT3%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

How much does University of Portland actually cost?

Published tuition is $58,100 for in-state students and $58,100 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,260 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $28,210 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 22% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$58,800
Room and board$18,000
Average net price (after aid)$28,210
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Portland

Regular admission
Regular deadline2025-01-15
Notification date2025-10-01
Reply deadline2025-05-01
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineDecember 1

Will my child graduate from University of Portland?

These predict outcomes at University of Portland better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
88%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
80%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at University of Portland

The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Portland, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Mechanical Engineering. Across all programs, University of Portland confers roughly 732 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $103,904 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing364$103,904
Biology, General98$53,076
Mechanical Engineering54$91,884
Marketing51$68,130
Finance and Financial Management Services46$95,949
Psychology, General45$62,399
Computer Science38$136,265
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods36$58,391
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is University of Portland safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Portland disclosed 6 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
6
2.0 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
4
1.35 per 1,000
Burglary
1
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 2,957 enrolled.

What is campus life like at University of Portland?

About 53% of undergraduates at University of Portland live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
53%
of undergraduates
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Portland.

Other colleges in Oregon parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for University of Portland

Common questions parents ask about University of Portland

What GPA do I need for University of Portland?

University of Portland has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

What SAT or ACT score does University of Portland typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 643. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–31.

How much does University of Portland actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Portland after grants and scholarships is $28,210 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $58,100. Budget against the net figure.

Is University of Portland realistic for my child?

University of Portland admits 89% of applicants, so 580–700 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $28,210 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Portland?

University of Portland accepts about 89% of applicants out of roughly 8,289 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is University of Portland test-optional?

Yes. University of Portland is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at University of Portland?

About 80% of students at University of Portland graduate within six years. 88% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does University of Portland look for in applicants?

University of Portland 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 University of Portland a public or private school, and where is it located?

University of Portland is a private nonprofit institution located in Portland, Oregon.

What are the most popular majors at University of Portland?

The largest undergraduate majors at University of Portland by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Mechanical Engineering. The school awards about 732 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is University of Portland safe? What is its campus crime rate?

University of Portland reported 6 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 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 University of Portland?

At University of Portland, 53% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

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