Pacific vs. University of Portland

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with University of Portland in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific University is larger than University of Portland based on total student enrollment (3,427 students vs. 3,285 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting); University of Portland is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Portland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific University 10:1; University of Portland 9:1.

Pacific vs. University of Portland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific or University of Portland? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Portland than Pacific ($30,985 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 9.5% lower than at University of Portland ($15,620 vs. $17,260).
• University of Portland is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pacific (about $1,726 more per year; $58,100.00 vs. $56,374.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at University of Portland than at Pacific University (about $1,726 more per year; $58,100.00 vs. $56,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Portland than at Pacific University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Portland students is 14.5% larger than aid received by Pacific University students ($42,538 vs. $37,139).

Pacific vs. University of Portland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific or University of Portland? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Portland and Pacific.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Portland (1270) is 200 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming University of Portland students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Pacific).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 900/1240; University of Portland 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 18/29; University of Portland 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific - Test optional; University of Portland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027; University of Portland Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at University of Portland (3.66).
• Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than University of Portland (89.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 9.6% at University of Portland.

Pacific vs. University of Portland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific and University of Portland? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Portland's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Pacific University's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Portland earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Portland graduates have a $1,843 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($24,313 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, University of Portland graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($251 vs. $270).
• More University of Portland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.