University of Portland vs. University of Puget Sound

Deciding between University of Portland and University of Puget Sound? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Portland
University of Puget Sound

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Portland Portland, OR
  • University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
  • Setting
  • University of Portland Large City
  • University of Puget Sound Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Portland 3,285
  • University of Puget Sound 1,864
  • Type
  • University of Portland Private 4 Year
  • University of Puget Sound Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Portland #126
  • University of Puget Sound #197
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Portland Roman Catholic
  • University of Puget Sound -
  • Status
  • University of Portland Non-profit
  • University of Puget Sound Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Portland
  • University of Puget Sound

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Portland $58,100
  • University of Puget Sound $62,898
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Portland $58,100
  • University of Puget Sound $62,898
  • Room & Board
  • University of Portland $17,260
  • University of Puget Sound $16,498
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Portland $30,985
  • University of Puget Sound $43,188
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Portland $42,538
  • University of Puget Sound $35,179
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Portland 100%
  • University of Puget Sound 99%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Portland 8,289
  • University of Puget Sound 5,239
  • Admitted
  • University of Portland 7,391
  • University of Puget Sound 3,785
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Portland 89.2%
  • University of Puget Sound 72.2%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Portland 9.6%
  • University of Puget Sound 11.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Portland 1270
  • University of Puget Sound 1280
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Portland 28
  • University of Puget Sound 29
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Portland 3.66
  • University of Puget Sound 3.56
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Portland A-
  • University of Puget Sound A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Portland Difficult
  • University of Puget Sound Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Portland
  • University of Puget Sound Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Portland 25/31
  • University of Puget Sound 27/31
  • SAT Range
  • University of Portland 1160/1370
  • University of Puget Sound 1170/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Portland Test optional
  • University of Puget Sound Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Portland Jan 15, 2027
  • University of Puget Sound Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Portland 9:1
  • University of Puget Sound 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Portland
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • University of Puget Sound
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Portland 76%
  • University of Puget Sound 73%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Portland $59,000
  • University of Puget Sound $57,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Portland 85%
  • University of Puget Sound 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Portland $24,313
  • University of Puget Sound $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Portland $251
  • University of Puget Sound $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Portland 36%
  • University of Puget Sound 41%
  • % Women
  • University of Portland 64%
  • University of Puget Sound 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Portland High
  • University of Puget Sound Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Portland No
  • University of Puget Sound No
  • % White
  • University of Portland 61%
  • University of Puget Sound 74%
  • % Asian
  • University of Portland 12%
  • University of Puget Sound 6%
  • % Black
  • University of Portland 1%
  • University of Puget Sound 1%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Portland 11%
  • University of Puget Sound 7%
  • % Native American
  • University of Portland 0%
  • University of Puget Sound 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Portland 2%
  • University of Puget Sound 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Portland 8%
  • University of Puget Sound 8%
  • % International
  • University of Portland 3%
  • University of Puget Sound 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Portland 2%
  • University of Puget Sound 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Portland 35%
  • University of Puget Sound 33%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Portland 63%
  • University of Puget Sound 67%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Portland Yes
  • University of Puget Sound Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Portland No
  • University of Puget Sound No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Portland Yes
  • University of Puget Sound Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Portland No
  • University of Puget Sound No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Portland No
  • University of Puget Sound No
  • Learn More
  • University of Portland Details
  • University of Puget Sound Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Portland in Portland, OR with University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Portland is larger than University of Puget Sound based on total student enrollment (3,285 students vs. 1,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Portland is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); University of Puget Sound is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Portland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Puget Sound is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Portland 9:1; University of Puget Sound 10:1.

University of Portland vs. University of Puget Sound Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Portland or University of Puget Sound? 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 University of Puget Sound ($30,985 vs. $43,188).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Puget Sound are 4.4% lower than at University of Portland ($16,498 vs. $17,260).
  • University of Puget Sound is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Portland (about $4,798 more per year; $62,898.00 vs. $58,100.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at University of Puget Sound than at University of Portland (about $4,798 more per year; $62,898.00 vs. $58,100.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Portland than at University of Puget Sound (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Portland students is 20.9% larger than aid received by University of Puget Sound students ($42,538 vs. $35,179).

University of Portland vs. University of Puget Sound Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Portland or University of Puget Sound? 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 Puget Sound and University of Portland.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Puget Sound (1280) is 10 points higher than at University of Portland (1270).
  • Incoming University of Puget Sound students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at University of Portland).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Portland 1160/1370; University of Puget Sound 1170/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Portland 25/31; University of Puget Sound 27/31.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Portland - Test optional; University of Puget Sound - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Portland Jan 15, 2027; University of Puget Sound Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Portland students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at University of Puget Sound (3.56).
  • University of Portland has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than University of Puget Sound (72.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at University of Portland vs. 11.4% at University of Puget Sound.

University of Portland vs. University of Puget Sound Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Portland and University of Puget Sound? 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 University of Puget Sound's (73%).
  • Graduates from University of Portland earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than University of Puget Sound graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Portland graduates have a $2,687 lower median loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates ($24,313 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Portland graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Puget Sound graduates ($251 vs. $279).
  • More University of Portland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Puget Sound students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 84%)

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.