University of Portland (UP) Academics and Unique Programs

Academics

Founded in 1901, the University of Portland is closely affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and has been ranked among the top 10 schools in the West by U.S. News and World Report for the last 16 years. The university’s sister school is the University of Notre Dame.

The university offers 75 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five divisions that include the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Education, the Pamplin School of Business, the School of Nursing, and the School of Engineering.

The university’s students and faculty have earned many Fulbright, Mitchell, Marshall, and Goldwater fellowships, and have received the Oregon’s Governor’s Award for more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service per year. During the past 15 years, five professors have received awards from the Carnegie Foundation including National Professor of the Year and State Professors of the Year. The university was also ranked 11th out of more than 500 universities with master’s degree programs based on its contributions to the public good in social mobility, research, and service. This school has also been on the President’s Higher Education community Service Honor Roll for the past 5 years.

Learning assistance counselors provide a wide variety of services to help students succeed academically by offering guidance for reading comprehension strategies, note-taking skills, study strategies, test taking skills, and time management.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 4th in Oregon and 219th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	92.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$62,200
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	28 / 1320
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	15 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	90% / 100%
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,280

Unique Programs

The University of Portland’s bachelor’s degree program in Environmental Ethics and Policy is an interdisciplinary program that has been designed to teach students about environmental science and ecology, and how these sciences shape the development of political policy, environmental ethics, and recent theological reformulation within the Judeo-Christian tradition. The program also includes a capstone experience in which students are challenged to apply the knowledge that they have gained to specific issues that are particularly relevant to the Pacific Northwesten region.

The Moreau Center for Service and Leadership at the University of Portland offers students the unique opportunity to serve local, domestic, and international communities while learning valuable skills. The interdisciplinary Center for Entrepreneurship gives students the opportunity to become entrepreneurs through diverse programs. One of the center’s programs is the $100K Challenge, in which students develop plans for their business ideas. Each individual or group then presents their business plan to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs who give the students feedback. Challenge finalists will be eligible for an investment of up to $100,000 in cash and services to help them develop their businesses.

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Admissions

The University of Portland offers numerous ways for students to apply for admission, but procedures and requirements vary by student status. Applicants for freshman admission can use the university’s online or paper application, or they can complete the Common Application. Applicants must also submit an official high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, a letter of recommendation, an essay, and the application fee. The university utilizes a “rolling” admissions system for freshmen applicants that begins in September and gives priority consideration to those that apply by January 15. Admissions decisions generally take 3-4 weeks after a completed application file is received. Honors program applicants, transfer applicants, international students, non-degree seeking applicants, and re-admit applicants should check the university’s website for procedures and requirements that are specific to their status.

Financial Aid

The University of Portland offer generous financial aid awards. In a single year, 90% of the University’s students were granted a total of $71 million in financial aid awards. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid, located in Waldschmidt Hall, aims to help students and their families understand and get through the financial aid application process. Awards may include scholarships, grants, loans, or student employment. Some students may also choose to participate in the Air Force or Army ROTC scholarship programs.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2954th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Oregon.

Students

Students at the University of Portland can participate in more than 40 student clubs, almost 40 volunteer programs, and countless academic and extracurricular activities. Students can visit the bike shop & camping center, take the ski bus, participate in multicultural programs or the diversity committee, take part in student government activities, or join one of the clubs or organizations. Each year, the university holds an Activities Fair during the first week of the fall semester. The fair allows students to learn about the many student groups and activities that are available at the university.

Residence halls on campus include traditional residence halls, two apartment style halls for upper classmen, and over 30 off-campus houses that are also owned by the university. Theme houses include Faith & Leadership House for students who want to be leaders in the Christian community; Foreign Language House, which has coed Spanish, German, and French floors; Green House, where students learn about environmental protection; and Half Year House.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The University of Portland boasts numerous renowned intercollegiate athletic teams known as the Portland Pilots. Of these teams, the most notable is the soccer program, which is one of the oldest in the country. The women’s soccer team won the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2002 and 2005. Several of the university’s former male and female soccer players have gone on to become international soccer stars. Home matches are played at Merlo Field, which is part of the university’s Clive Charles Soccer Complex.

The university also has one of the country’s best NCAA Division I men’s cross country teams. This legendary team has won 31 straight West Coast Conference Championships, one of the longest active conference championship streaks in the NCAA. Other intercollegiate sports offered at the University of Portland include baseball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, track and field, and women’s crew.

Students participate in club level sports such as men’s and women’s lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, and water polo, as well as intramural sports that include kickball, flag football, basketball, dodgeball, table tennis, soccer, golf, and volleyball.

Alumni

Donald Shiley, co-inventor of the artificial heart valve.
Larry LaRocco, former Congressman
Walter “Walt” Dawson, Alzheimer’s disease activist
Tiffeny Milbrett, US women’s international soccer player
Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Miami Heat
Kunal Nayyar, actor

Bibliography

Dresbeck, Rachel. Insider’s Guide to Portland, Oregon. Guilford: Morris Book Publishing, 2011.

Snider, Mark. Colleges in the West. Lawrenceville: Peterson’s, 2009.

University of Portland. University of Portland. 2011. Web. 9 May 2011.

“University of Portland.” Education. U.S. News & World Report, 2011. Web. 9 May 2011.

University of Portland