How much does University of Portland cost?

The average net price at University of Portland is $28,210 per year after financial aid. Over 4 years, that's approximately $112,840 total. Average student debt at graduation: $21,370.

What do University of Portland graduates earn?

Graduates of University of Portland earn a median salary of $82,804 ten years after enrollment. That's 54% above the national average.

What is the University of Portland acceptance rate?

University of Portland accepts approximately 89.2% of applicants.

When is the University of Portland application deadline?

The regular decision application deadline for University of Portland is February 15. The early deadline is December 1 (Early Action).

Does University of Portland require SAT or ACT?

University of Portland is test-optional — applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores but they are not required. SAT/ACT Test Scores (Optional) University of Portland is test-optional for students applying through Fall 2026.

University of Portland

Portland, OR

privateWebsite

Value

Median Earnings (10yr)

$82,804

+54% vs average

Net Price / Year

$28,210

+38% vs average

Graduation Rate

80%

Payback Period

1.4 years

Median Debt

$21,370

Student Body

2,957

University of Portland — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)

Source: U.S. Dept of Education (College Scorecard)CollegeValueRanked

Admission Rate

89%

University of Portland at a Glance

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 UP's sister school, the University of Notre Dame. UP enrolls approximately 3,700 students.

Founded

1901

125 years old

Endowment

$368M

$367.8 million (2025)

Students

3,285

2,986 undergrad · 299 grad

Campus

124 acres

Identity

Motto: Latin : Veritas vos LiberabitAthletics: PilotsMascot: Wally PilotColors: Purple and whiteAffiliation: Catholic ( Congregation of Holy Cross )President: Robert D. Kelly

Sources:Wikipedia

How to Apply to University of Portland

Official admissions page

Test-optionalCommon App member

Regular deadline

February 15

Early deadline

December 1 (Early Action)

Testing policy

SAT/ACT Test Scores (Optional) University of Portland is test-optional for students applying through Fall 2026.

Requirements can change between admissions cycles. Always verify current requirements on the official admissions page before applying.

Is University of Portland Worth It?

University of Portland offers moderate value at $28,210/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $82,804, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.

The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.

The 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.

How University of Portland compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally

Ranked #2 of 34 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.

Rank	College	Value	Net price / yr	Median earnings
#1	Regis University	60	$18,397	$72,105
#2	University of Portland	59	$28,210	$82,804
#3	Immaculata University	53	$24,258	$75,701
#4	Le Moyne College	51	$22,277	$62,731
#5	The Catholic University of America	50	$29,561	$73,250
#6	Linfield University	50	$26,536	$78,638

Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Portland's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OR.

Best Programs at University of Portland

The highest-earning program at University of Portland is Computer Science at $78,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $28,300/year.

Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Portland earns $78,600, while a Biology, General graduate earns $28,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.

Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $24,000 in median debt vs. $25,480 for Biology, General.

Return on Investment

Estimated 4-Year Cost

$112,840

Based on $28,210/yr net price × 4 years

Earnings Premium

+54%

vs. national average of $53,787/yr

Payback Period

1.4 years

Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings

10-Year Net Gain

$715,200

Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance

Programs & Earnings by Major

Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):

Major	Earnings (4yr)	Earnings (1yr)	Median Debt
Computer Science	$78,600	$78,600	$24,000
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$74,300	$74,300	$25,000
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering	$65,800	$65,800	$25,500
Mechanical Engineering	$59,000	$59,000	$24,743
Civil Engineering	$56,200	$56,200	$27,000
Finance and Financial Management Services	$49,800	$49,800	$19,500
Accounting and Related Services	$48,600	$48,600	$26,000
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods	$48,300	$48,300	$21,280
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics	$41,500	$41,500	$22,857
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$39,700	$39,700	$25,000
Marketing	$36,000	$36,000	$24,793
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	$35,100	$35,100	$17,772
Psychology, General	$30,900	$30,900	$23,000
Biology, General	$28,300	$28,300	$25,480

Similar Colleges in OR

Portland State University

$57,906 earnings · $9,552/yr net price

Oregon Institute of Technology

$72,273 earnings · $15,706/yr net price

Oregon State University

$64,010 earnings · $19,604/yr net price

Linfield University

$78,638 earnings · $26,536/yr net price

University of Oregon

$61,324 earnings · $22,182/yr net price

View all colleges in OR →

Quick Facts

Institution Type: private
Location: Portland, OR
Student Body: 2,957 students
Admission Rate: 89%
Graduation Rate: 80%
Net Price (Annual): $28,210
Median Earnings (10yr): $82,804
Median Student Debt: $21,370

Explore More

Earnings & cost trends →All colleges in OR →Compare colleges →Our methodology →Best public colleges →

Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median earnings are measured 10 years after enrollment. Net price reflects average cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal financial aid. Value scores are calculated using our methodology.