
The University of Portland (UP) is a private Catholic university in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1901 and is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. UP enrols approximately 3,700 students and is Oregon's only comprehensive Catholic university. UP offers a variety of undergraduate degree programs, including top-ranked nursing and engineering programs. The university also provides cutting-edge programs like Operations and Technology Management. UP's Catholic identity is reflected in its core curriculum, which includes theology and philosophy courses, as well as Campus Ministry programs that support the spiritual journey of students from all faith traditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Private Catholic university |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Year founded | 1901 |
| Affiliation | Congregation of Holy Cross |
| Student population | 3,700 |
| Student-teacher ratio | 12:1 |
| Courses | Theology, philosophy, biblical traditions, history, nursing, engineering, business, education, health innovations, arts and sciences |
| Campus rules | No contraception, no sex, no overnight guests of the opposite sex, no pro-choice clubs |
| Campus clubs | Pro-life club, Jewish student union |
| Campus ministry | Support for spiritual journey, access to sacraments, mass, retreats, religious studies |
| Campus culture | Supportive, accepting, rigorous, goal-oriented, community-oriented |
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What You'll Learn

Student life and rules
Student life at the University of Portland is heavily influenced by its Catholic affiliation. The university is guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, which believes in the cultivation of the mind and heart simultaneously. This belief is reflected in the university's academic approach, which integrates theology and philosophy into the curriculum. Every student at the University of Portland is required to take at least three theology and two philosophy courses as part of the Core Curriculum. The university encourages students to ask questions, reflect on values and ethics, and explore the intersection of faith, service, and leadership.
The University of Portland has a comparatively small student body, with approximately 3,500-3,700 undergraduates in recent years. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, providing a more personalized educational experience. The university emphasizes community involvement, both on campus and in the surrounding neighbourhood and greater Portland area. Students are dedicated to helping their peers and taking advantage of various opportunities, creating a safe and inspiring environment. The Office of Residence Life assists students in finding on-campus housing, enabling them to actively participate in campus activities and engage in the close-knit campus community.
The University of Portland offers a diverse range of academic programs, including a College of Arts and Sciences, a School of Business, a School of Education, a School of Engineering, and a School of Nursing and Health Innovations. The School of Business has been recognised for its diversity, with the highest percentage of women, minorities, and international students among AACSB MBA programs in Oregon. The School of Education is known for its emphasis on field experience and inclusion, with classroom placements beginning early in the program. The School of Nursing and Health Innovations has a long history, dating back to the establishment of the Vincent Hospital School of Nursing & Health Innovations in 1892.
Student life at the University of Portland extends beyond academics. The university offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including athletics and student media. The university has a total of 374 student athletes competing in intercollegiate athletics. Additionally, students can get involved with The Beacon (newspaper), LOG (yearbook), and KDUP (radio), providing opportunities for free and responsible discussion within the community.
While the University of Portland is a Catholic university, it is known for its inclusivity and acceptance. The university welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities, fostering an environment free of discrimination based on race, gender, or sexual orientation. However, it is important to note that some students have mentioned the presence of required religious classes, suggesting that individuals with religious identities other than Catholic or Christian may want to inquire about these requirements before enrolling.
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History and founding
The University of Portland (UP) is a private Catholic university in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1901 and is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross, which also founded the University of Notre Dame, its sister school. The Congregation of Holy Cross is a religious community founded by Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C. in 1837. Fr. Moreau envisioned a community of brothers, sisters, and priests committed to a transformative educational experience for young people that would engage the heart as well as the mind.
The University of Portland's campus is located in the University Park neighborhood near St. Johns, on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River. The first institution located on this site was Portland University, a private Methodist post-secondary school founded in 1891. However, due to financial setbacks and internal disputes, Portland University closed in 1900. The campus was then purchased by Archbishop Alexander Christie with financing from the Congregation of Holy Cross, and it became a Catholic school.
Archbishop Christie's vision for the new institution was to provide a "superior education unequaled by any institution on the Pacific Coast." The school opened its doors on September 5, 1901, as Columbia University, with 52 young men and eight Catholic priests from the local archdiocese serving as professors. In 1925, the College of Arts and Sciences was founded, and the first bachelor's degrees were awarded in 1929. The university achieved junior college status in 1922, and in the 1930s, it changed its name to the University of Portland.
Over the years, the University of Portland expanded its academic offerings, establishing the School of Engineering in 1948, the Graduate School in 1950, and the School of Education in 1962. In 1951, the university began admitting women to all courses of study, becoming the first Catholic institution in Oregon to serve the educational needs of women. The University of Portland has grown to enroll approximately 3,700 students and is Oregon's only comprehensive Catholic university. It offers a variety of accredited degree programs, including nursing, engineering, business, and education.
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Campus Ministry programs
The University of Portland is a private Catholic university in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1901 and is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. The University provides a holistic education that builds students' knowledge, skills, and sense of personal responsibility for ethical behaviour and social justice. Every student at the University of Portland is required to take at least three theology and two philosophy courses as part of their core curriculum.
The Campus Ministry programs at the University of Portland are designed to provide opportunities for all members of the community to deepen their awareness of God and their relationship with Jesus Christ. The programs are grounded in the Catholic tradition and inspired by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Through these programs, students of all faith backgrounds will find support for their spiritual journey.
For Catholic students, this includes access to the Sacraments, regular mass offerings, retreats, and religious studies opportunities. They can also join the Sunday homilies from the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. The Campus Ministry offers prayers and resources from the Catholic tradition, the wider Christian tradition, and a range of other faith backgrounds represented on campus.
Students of all faiths are welcomed into a community where faith is valued and nurtured. Those with no faith tradition will find a warm and accepting community. The University of Portland's Campus Ministry programs aim to create an environment where students can discuss Jesus and His teachings with people of diverse religious traditions with mutual respect, integrity, and love.
The University of Portland also offers cutting-edge programs like Operations and Technology Management, top-ranked nursing and engineering programs, and excellent liberal arts majors in theatre, music, and dance.
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Academic programs
The University of Portland is a private Catholic university in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1901 and is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. With a college of arts and sciences, a graduate school, and schools of business, education, engineering, and nursing and health innovations, it is Oregon's only comprehensive Catholic university.
The University of Portland offers a variety of academic programs across its various schools. Here is an overview of some of the notable programs:
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest school at the University of Portland. CAS offers a wide range of academic programs, with 34 majors and 30 minors across 15 departments and 9 interdisciplinary programs. Students can pursue degrees in the humanities, natural sciences, performing arts, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. Some of the specific majors offered include history, philosophy, theatre, music, and dance.
School of Business
The School of Business at the University of Portland is accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The school focuses on developing students' entrepreneurial mindset, ethical lens, and leadership skills. It offers 8 majors and 4 graduate programs, including an affordable MBA program in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, the school provides opportunities for students to work with partners such as Nike and the Trail Blazers.
School of Education
The University of Portland's School of Education offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The undergraduate program provides a scaffolded path to student teaching, allowing students to gain experience in local schools starting in their first year. At the graduate level, the school offers master's, doctorate, and professional licensure coursework. The School of Education partners with over 100 schools in 18 school systems, providing a range of opportunities for hands-on learning and classroom experience.
School of Engineering
The School of Engineering offers accredited Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering, as well as computer science. Additionally, there is a 4+1 master's degree in biomedical engineering. The engineering programs are accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) and focus on preparing students to address technical problems that impact society.
School of Nursing and Health Innovations
The School of Nursing and Health Innovations has a long history, dating back to its establishment as the St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in 1892. The school offers a top-rated undergraduate nursing program and provides various clinical practice opportunities at St. Vincent Hospital and other hospitals associated with Providence Health & Services. The University of Portland also offers pre-Health degree programs for students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare fields such as dentistry and medicine.
Theology and Philosophy Courses
As a Catholic university, the University of Portland includes theology and philosophy courses as part of its core curriculum. All students are required to take at least three theology and two philosophy courses. These courses are designed to help students develop their faith and spirituality, as well as explore ethical and moral themes that intersect with their academic disciplines.
The University of Portland provides a holistic education that values faith, ethics, and social justice. It welcomes people of all faiths and encourages students to engage with diverse ideas and perspectives. The academic programs offered by the university are designed to prepare students for a variety of careers and provide them with a well-rounded educational experience.
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Student demographics
The University of Portland is a private Catholic university in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1901 and is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. The university enrolls approximately 3,700 students, with a gender breakdown of 2,469 female students and 1,530 male students. The undergraduate population is made up of 62% women and 38% men. The racial/ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial/ethnic minorities percentage.
The University of Portland is Oregon's only comprehensive Catholic university, with a college of arts and sciences, a graduate school, and schools of business, education, engineering, and nursing and health innovations. The university offers a variety of undergraduate degree programs, including top-ranked nursing and engineering programs. The most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations in 2023 were Registered Nursing (250 degrees awarded), General Biological Sciences (101 degrees), and General Psychology (70 degrees). The university also offers accredited Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering, as well as a Bachelor of Science in computer science.
The University of Portland provides a holistic education that builds students' knowledge, skills, and sense of personal responsibility for ethical behavior and social justice. Every student at the university takes at least three theology and two philosophy courses as part of the Core Curriculum. The university also offers Campus Ministry programs that support the spiritual journey of students of all faith traditions. Catholic students have access to the Sacraments, regular mass offerings, retreats, and religious studies opportunities. The student body is diverse, with 75.71% of students coming from out of state and 1.46% from outside the country.
The University of Portland is selective, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, providing a personalized educational experience. In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition was $54,400, with 99% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid through grants and 40% through loans. The average net price for students was $34,951. The university has an 80.44% traditional college age diversity score, indicating that it attracts students of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the University of Portland is a private Catholic university.
The average student-to-faculty ratio at Catholic universities, including the University of Portland, is 12:1, which is lower than the national average of 18:1.
The University of Portland has several rules and restrictions based on Catholic values. For example, sex is forbidden, contraception is not offered on campus, and people of the opposite sex are not allowed in dorms after visitation hours.
The University of Portland offers a holistic education that includes theology and philosophy courses as part of the Core Curriculum. It also provides opportunities for study abroad programs, internships, mentoring, and service programs.
The University of Portland may not be the best fit for someone who prefers a larger environment, a party culture, or a warm climate. Additionally, those who are not willing to put in the effort and dedication required for rigorous academics may struggle at the university.











































