University of Portland

Getting in is the hard part. University of Portland admitted 89.2% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1160–1370 on the SAT and 25–31 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what University of Portland actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

As a UP student, you won't just sit in a lecture hall; you’ll collaborate with faculty on R-1 level undergraduate research, tackle impactful real-world projects, and build a network of intentional mentors.

The curriculum integrates rigorous academics with intentional mentorships, practical fieldwork, and meaningful projects across a College of Arts and Sciences and four professional schools.

• College of Arts and SciencesDisciplinary and interdisciplinary studies
• Four Professional SchoolsBusiness, engineering, healthcare, education
• Graduate Degrees & CertificatesMaster's, doctoral, business, education, nursing

Verified from up.edu and up.edu and up.edu and up.edu and up.edu and up.edu.

• Next deadlineDecember 5, 2026 (EA)
• Regular decisionMarch 8, 2027
• TestingRequired (2026 cycle)
• Recommendations0 letters
• Personal essayNot required
• ApplicationCommon App

Verified from https://www.up.edu.

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

• We would love to get a sense of what excites you both academically and personally. In order to do so, let us know what question you would pose to a prospective UP Honors student on an application to get a sense about their academic curiosity and commitment to interdisciplinary work and then answer this question yourself.

  Up to 600 words

• Finally, generate a second question that would elucidate something about the candidate's personal interests, commitments, etc. and answer this question as well.

  Up to 600 words

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

Verified from https://www.up.edu.

The sticker price is about $73,224, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $28,210.

We offer comprehensive financial aid packages based both on academic excellence and demonstrated need, including scholarships, grants, and federal loan options.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $82,804.

Verified from https://www.up.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Collaborate on R-1 level research, join a group run, and connect with a Catholic priest on campus, a Tuesday here is full of discovery and community.”

From energetic student events like firebreathing and group runs to student researchers in state-of-the-art facilities, life on The Bluff is dynamic and full of discovery.

Is University of Portland test-optional?

No. For the 2026 application cycle, University of Portland requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants.

How hard is it to get into University of Portland?

Very hard. University of Portland admits 89.2% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1160 to 1370 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.

When is the University of Portland application deadline?

The next deadline is December 5, 2026 (EA). Regular Decision closes March 8, 2027.

How much does University of Portland cost?

The list price is about $73,224, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $28,210.

Is University of Portland worth it?

Graduates earn a median of $82,804 ten years after enrolling, and 80% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.