University of Portland
About Us
As a comprehensive Catholic university grounded in the liberal arts, you’ll get the chance to test new ideas, challenge conventional wisdom, and explore how the world is interconnected—no matter what major you pursue in our College of Arts & Sciences or Schools of Business, Education, Engineering, and Nursing. Through a liberal arts education, you will find extraordinary opportunities to cultivate your best self. Participate in service-learning projects and work-integrated learning experiences, complete research with faculty, and develop leadership skills through entrepreneurial programs, clubs, and campus ministry. Expand your worldview by studying abroad and hearing renowned speakers on campus share their expertise.
UP sits on 150 acres nestled in a quiet neighborhood on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River and downtown Portland, which is only ten minutes away. You can enjoy city excitement with amazing food, music, parks, and more. With under 4,000 undergraduate students, we’re big enough that you’ll have plenty of space and opportunity to grow and discover who you want to be, but small enough that we’ll get to know you. Our professors not only share their knowledge but also offer advice and support—whether it’s helping with a specific assignment or discussing potential career paths. And with most classes smaller than 30 students and a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, every voice can be part of the conversation.
Quick Facts
School Setting: Suburban
Undergrad Population: 3,800
Average Class Size: 24
Institution Type: Private
Application Deadline for Fall 2021: January 15th, 2021
Our Location
Top 3 Things to Know About Us!
As a direct entry school, UP creates an environment of community over competition. Direct entry means that when students apply, they declare their major on their application. If they are accepted, they are guaranteed to be in that major and begin classes for that major their first semester on campus and do not have to reapply at a later date. Students and faculty are there to learn from each other, build others up, and help all students succeed within their four years on campus.
All majors across campus have opportunities for practical work experience while an undergraduate student. Some examples are nurses participating in clinical and simulation labs, education students are observing and student teaching as early as their first semester on campus, business majors are required to have an internship during their time here, College of Arts and Science students have many opportunities to participate in research with their professors and present at conferences, and engineers create final capstone projects that demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in their specific field of engineering. This practical work experience gives UP students an advantage post-grad when applying to jobs and looking for new opportunities.
Students here are a name, not a number. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and an average class size of 24 students, professors get to know their students well and can help them succeed. Professors make a point to learn the names of their students and create spaces for students to learn and grow within their field of study. As a teaching university, all classes are taught by professors, they are never taught by TAs or graduate students.
