Welcome
UP Today
The University of Portland is a thriving community of more than 3,500 undergraduate students, who come from around the nation and the world, as well as over 1,000 faculty and staff. Our campus is located on a scenic promontory in a residential neighborhood dotted with charming historic homes. This beautiful vantage point overlooking the Willamette River and the city of Portland lends UP the inspiration for its nickname, “The Bluff.”
Leadership
The University is currently led by President Robert D. Kelly, PhD. Since our inception in 1901, the University has been guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, a Catholic order of priests and brothers. The founder of the order, Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC, said, "The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” This commitment to educating the hands, heart, and mind are hallmarks of our belief in educating the whole person.
National Recognition
For 29 consecutive years, the University has earned a top-10 ranking by US News & World Report in the “Regional Universities – West” classification, including the number 2 spot in the 2024 rankings. UP was honored with a Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose in 2024 and selected as one of the 2023 "Best Colleges in America" by Money Magazine. For nine consecutive years, UP has also been the top Oregon school in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance annual ranking of best values in private universities, providing students with an excellent “return on investment”.
On Campus and Beyond
Academics
University of Portland is Oregon’s only comprehensive university with schools of business, education, engineering, nursing, a College of Arts and Sciences, and a graduate school. There are more than 40 undergraduate programs and 30 minors, as well as 18 graduate programs, and more than 1,300 courses. As one of the nation's top producers of Fulbright Scholars among master's level institutions, UP's small class settings (11:1 student-faculty ratio) and award-winning faculty create the optimal experience for student success with 84% of UP's class of 2022 reporting a positive career outcome.
Student Life
Believing that education takes place both inside and outside the classroom, UP offers a wide variety of extra-curricular programming including an inclusive Campus Ministry program; local, national, and international volunteer opportunities through the Moreau Center; fitness, intramurals, and outdoor activities through the recreation services program in the Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center; and an active student government, Associated Students of the University of Portland. The amazing support network of our close-knit UP community is also fostered through residential living with more than 90% of freshmen living in one of our 10 on-campus residence halls.
Athletics
The Portland Pilots are members of the West Coast Conference and compete at the NCAA Division 1 level. There are sixteen intercollegiate teams: baseball (M), basketball (MW), cross country (MW), rowing (W), soccer (MW), tennis (MW), indoor and outdoor track and field (MW), and indoor and beach volleyball (W).
Alumni
UP students and alumni are resources for research, internships, and full-time employment. More than half of University of Portland’s 44,000 alumni reside in the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area.
