💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Portland 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$60,100 |
$60,100 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$17,100 |
$17,100 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$77,200 |
$77,200 |
Average Federal Net Price: $36,371 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Cross-Registration & Exchanges: UP does not participate in public tuition-discount programs like WUE.
Through the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities (OAICU), eligible full-time students may take
one undergraduate course per term at another Alliance campus with no additional tuition
(host course fees or overload charges may apply). UP also offers international exchanges where students pay UP tuition while
studying at partner universities.
Cost FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state discounts?
None — UP is private, so in-state and out-of-state students pay the same base tuition.
How much does living on campus add?
About $17,100 for a standard traditional shared room plus the mid-range Meal Plan 2.
Choosing a single room or higher dining plan increases this.
What about exchange opportunities?
Students can cross-register for one course per term at other OAICU schools (space-available) and use UP’s international exchange
partners to study abroad while still paying UP tuition.
Sources:
https://up.edu/finaid/cost2526 (University cost worksheet; tuition, required fees, room & meal plan rates)
https://www.up.edu/studentaccounts/tuition-and-fees/undergraduate.html (Student Accounts — undergraduate tuition & meal plan listings)
https://www.up.edu/residencelife/housing-sign-up/rates.html (Residence Life — room & board rates)
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?209825-University-of-Portland (College Scorecard — average net price)
https://oaicu.org/programs/ (OAICU Cross-Registration overview) •
https://oaicu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Cross-Registration-Form_Rev.-Feb24_Fillable.pdf
(OAICU policy form; one course/term; no added tuition; possible fees/overload)
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Automatic
Archbishop Christie Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
$35,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Here is the catch every parent needs to understand — UP lets a student receive only ONE named institutional merit scholarship. The Archbishop Christie is the top of that ladder, so if your student wins it, it replaces every other UP merit award. The good news? It still stacks with need-based aid and outside scholarships, all the way up to UP's cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP lists the Archbishop Christie at $35,000 per academic year for top 2% GPA Catholic high school students with advanced college-prep curricula. Renewable for up to 8 semesters of full-time undergraduate study.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
An extremely small slice of the applicant pool — Catholic high school graduates sitting in roughly the top 2% of their class with the most rigorous curriculum their school offers and standout GPAs. This is UP's flagship merit honor for Catholic-school students; it's competitive even within an already-elite group.
Automatic
President's Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
$28,000–$30,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Think of UP's named merit awards as a single ladder — your student climbs to exactly one rung. The President's is the second-highest, so winning it means no other UP merit stacks on top. But you can still layer need-based aid, outside scholarships, and grants on top of it, right up to UP's cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP lists the President's Scholarship at $28,000-$30,000 per academic year for students with advanced college-prep curricula and top GPAs. Renewable for up to 8 semesters of full-time undergraduate study.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted first-year students with very strong GPAs and the most rigorous college-prep curriculum their high school offers — typically the highest-achieving students in UP's admit pool who don't qualify for the more narrowly-restricted Archbishop Christie. Open to graduates of any high school setting.
Automatic
Holy Cross Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
$24,000–$26,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
One named UP merit award per student — Holy Cross is the third tier on the ladder for Catholic high school grads who don't quite hit Archbishop Christie territory. Can't be combined with other UP named scholarships, but stacks fully with need-based aid, outside scholarships, and grants up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP lists the Holy Cross Scholarship at $24,000-$26,000 per academic year for first-year students with strong college-prep curriculum and strong GPAs from Catholic high schools. Renewable for up to 8 semesters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Solid-to-strong Catholic high school graduates with rigorous college-prep coursework — not the rare top-2% profile, but well above the typical admit. If your student attends Catholic school and posts a high GPA with challenging courses, this is the realistic target.
Automatic
Arthur A. Schulte, Jr. Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
$24,000–$26,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Like all of UP's named merit awards, only one rung of the ladder — Schulte cannot be combined with any other UP named scholarship. But you can absolutely layer it with need-based aid, outside scholarships, and grants up to cost of attendance, which is where the real package math happens.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP lists the Arthur A. Schulte, Jr. Scholarship at $24,000-$26,000 per academic year for first-year students from public, private, or homeschool backgrounds with strong academic records. Renewable for up to 8 semesters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-performing students from public, private, or homeschool settings with strong GPAs and rigorous coursework. Think of this as the public/non-Catholic equivalent of the Holy Cross — same award amounts, different audience.
Automatic
Howard Vollum Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
$24,000–$26,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Same single-rung rule as the rest of UP's named merit — only one institutional scholarship at a time, no stacking with President's, Holy Cross, etc. But Vollum DOES stack with need-based aid, outside scholarships, and grants up to cost of attendance, which is how families often make the math work.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP lists the Howard Vollum Scholarship at $24,000-$26,000 per academic year for engineering and computer science majors with strong college-prep curricula including advanced STEAM coursework. Renewable for up to 8 semesters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Engineering and computer science admits with strong GPAs and visible STEAM rigor in high school — think AP Calculus, AP Physics, dual-enrollment engineering, or robotics-track coursework. If your student is targeting Shiley engineering and built a STEAM-heavy transcript, this is the natural landing spot.
Automatic
General Institutional Merit (First-Year Merit Scholarship)
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
$28,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is the catch-all merit slot for students whose academic profile is strong enough to earn institutional aid but who don't land one of the five named scholarships. Same one-named-award-per-student rule applies — if your student gets a named scholarship, that replaces general merit; the two don't combine.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP states that first-year and transfer merit scholarships can reach up to $28,000 per year based on grades and academic program strength. This record captures general institutional merit for students who do not receive one of the five named awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A wide band of solid first-year admits — strong but not top-2% — whose GPAs and course rigor qualify them for institutional aid below the named-scholarship tiers. Mid-to-high 3.x GPA students often see awards toward the lower-to-middle end of the range.
Automatic
Catholic High School Success Award
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision or financial aid offer
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Unlike UP's named merit scholarships, this award is designed to sit ALONGSIDE other aid — it's a recognition layer for Catholic high school grads that can combine with a named merit scholarship plus need-based aid, all the way up to cost of attendance. UP does not publish the dollar amount; expect to see it in the financial aid offer.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP describes the Catholic High School Success Award as recognition for graduates of Catholic high schools — separate from the named merit scholarship grid and not subject to the one-named-award rule. Specific dollar amount not published on UP's institutional scholarships page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-year applicants who graduated from a Catholic high school and demonstrate genuine engagement in their school community — service, leadership, faith-based involvement. UP frames it as recognition for a commitment to Catholic education rather than a pure academic award.
Automatic
Pilot Venture Award
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision or financial aid offer
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is a stacking-friendly award — it sits on top of UP's named merit scholarships rather than competing with them. If your student is admitted from outside Oregon AND lands a named merit, expect to see both lines on the financial aid offer, combined with any need-based aid up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP lists the Pilot Venture Award for students venturing to the University of Portland from outside the state of Oregon. Specific dollar amount not published; verify the value directly with UP Financial Aid in the aid offer.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted first-year students whose permanent residence is in any U.S. state other than Oregon. UP uses this award to recognize students traveling to Portland from out of state — no academic threshold is published, so most non-Oregon admits should expect it.
Automatic
Pilots First Award
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With admission decision or financial aid offer
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Built to stack — this is a recognition award layered on top of UP's named merit scholarships, not in place of them. If your student is first-gen AND lands an Archbishop Christie or President's, expect both on the financial aid offer alongside any need-based aid, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP lists the Pilots First Award for first-generation admitted students, recognizing them as the first in their family to complete a four-year degree. Specific dollar amount is not published on UP's institutional scholarships page; verify the value directly with UP Financial Aid in the aid offer. (Reclassified from hidden_gem to automatic per 2026-06-17 audit; prior $2,000 figure was not confirmable on UP's own site.)
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted first-year students whose parents have not completed a four-year college degree. UP frames this as celebrating the new layer your student adds to their family's story — there's no academic threshold published, so most first-gen admits should qualify.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Rolling transfer admission deadline · 📢 Results: With admission decision
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed to stack on top of UP's transfer merit scholarship (which goes up to $28,000 per year). So a PTK member with a strong community college GPA can layer the $3,000 PTK award onto their transfer merit award, plus need-based aid and outside scholarships, up to cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP awards $3,000 per academic year to transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa (the two-year college honor society). Only proof of membership is required — no separate application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any transfer student who completed Phi Theta Kappa membership at their two-year college — typically requires a 3.5+ GPA at the community-college level and a one-time induction. If your student already has PTK on their transcript, this is essentially automatic at UP.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*Estimated GPA bands based on past awards and public data; actual thresholds may shift depending on applicant pool.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need to apply separately?
No — all admitted students are automatically considered for these scholarships.
Does University of Portland superscore the SAT/ACT?
Yes. UP will take the highest section scores across test dates if you choose to submit scores, which can boost eligibility for higher merit tiers.
Can merit stack with other aid?
You can only hold one institutional merit scholarship. These do not stack with each other, but they can combine with federal/state aid and many outside scholarships.
When do I find out?
Merit awards are included with admission decisions. Applying by UP’s Early Action (December 1) or Regular Decision (February 15) deadlines ensures full consideration.
Sources:
University of Portland Scholarships – https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships.html
Institutional Scholarships at UP – https://www.up.edu/finaid/scholarships.html
University of Portland Financial Aid Handbook – https://up.edu/admissions/apply/freshman.html
UP Important Dates/Deadlines – https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/dates.html
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (competitive, university-level)
These are the big, competitive “flagship” scholarships (often full-tuition or full-ride) that require extra steps beyond admission.The University of Portland does not publish any university-level flagship/competitive scholarships with a separate application. Most top awards are automatic merit (see the section above). Departmental and Honors-specific awards appear in their own sections.
This institution does not offer designated Competitive scholarships at this time.
Flagship (Competitive) FAQ
Does UP offer full-tuition or full-ride flagship scholarships with separate applications?
Not currently published. UP’s largest awards for first-years are automatic merit (awarded with admission). Departmental and Honors awards are handled separately and listed in their respective sections.
Where should high-achieving students focus?
Submit a strong admission application early (rigorous coursework, top GPA). Then check the Hidden Gems and Honors College sections for additional opportunities that may require separate steps.
Do test scores help for competitive consideration?
UP is test-optional, but if you submit scores, the university superscores SAT/ACT. Higher superscored results can strengthen your overall academic profile used for top automatic awards.
Can flagship-style awards stack with automatic merit?
If UP later publishes a university-level competitive award, stacking rules will be specified by the university. As of now, institutional merit awards don’t stack with each other; see Automatic Merit for details.
Sources:
University of Portland Scholarships (Guide) – https://collegereadyparent.org/oregon/university-of-portland-scholarships/
University of Portland Admissions – https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships.html
Institutional Scholarships at UP – https://www.up.edu/finaid/scholarships.html
University of Portland Dates & Deadlines – https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/dates.html
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
Beyond the big merit awards, the University of Portland has some lesser-known programs that can make a private education far more affordable. These hidden gems often target specific majors, identities, or commitments.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Providence Scholars Program (Nursing)
📅 Deadline: Jan 10 (for fall junior-year start)
✓ Renews (2 yrs)
👥 ~Limited cohort each year as determined by Providence and UP winners/yr🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Providence and UP grants together cover just over 80% of BSN tuition and 100% of professional fees in the junior and senior years; other aid may be adjusted so total aid does not exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to the BSN program, meet program prerequisites, and submit a Providence Scholars Program application through the School of Nursing by the stated deadline; selected students sign an employment agreement with Providence Health & Services.
Selection criteria: Selection considers academic performance, professionalism, fit with Providence’s mission, and interview performance.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
Program provides a UP grant of 25% plus Providence funding to cover just over 80% of tuition for the final five BSN semesters in exchange for a three‑year full‑time employment commitment with Providence Health & Services.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: UP nursing majors entering their junior year who are in good academic standing, committed to nursing, and willing to work full-time for Providence after graduation.
App Required
Renaissance Scholars
📅 Deadline: March 1
✓ Renews
👥 ~Very limited; only a small number of scholars per year across partner colleges winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Foundation awards typically cover a substantial portion of tuition and can stack with institutional aid; UP may adjust its own grants so total funding does not exceed cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply directly to the Renaissance Scholars Foundation with required essays, recommendations, and financial documents; if selected and enrolling at UP, awards are coordinated with UP financial aid.
Selection criteria: Holistic evaluation of need, academic promise, and personal story by the foundation.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
CRP HTML describes Renaissance Scholars as an external program whose awards often cover major tuition costs and follow students to UP if they choose to enroll.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-generation, high‑need students from designated regions who demonstrate strong academics, resilience, and leadership, and who are selected by the Renaissance Scholars Foundation.
App Required
Trinity Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: Feb 28
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
👥 ~Limited cohort of scholars selected annually winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Acts as an outside or partner scholarship that can stack with UP merit and need-based aid, subject to cost-of-attendance limits.
📄
How to Apply
Submit a Trinity Scholars Program application through the program’s website, including essays and recommendations, and list University of Portland among college choices.
Selection criteria: Selection weighs faith commitment, academic performance, leadership, and service.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
CRP HTML summarizes the award as $10,000 per year for Christian students from specific Northwest states; treated here as an external partner scholarship rather than a core UP institutional award.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Christian students from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, or Montana with strong academics and demonstrated faith commitment selected by the Trinity Scholars organization.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Religious Tuition Discount
📅 Deadline: May 1 recommended; institutional aid deadlines apply
✓ Renews
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Provides up to a 25% tuition discount for eligible Catholic clergy, religious, and lay employees of Roman Catholic institutions when combined with matching support; coordinates with other aid but cannot exceed tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the required Catholic educator or religious employment verification and tuition discount application with employer and UP signatures by the financial aid deadline.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based; determined by employment status and institutional criteria rather than competitive scoring.
💡
Strategic Detail
Handbook describes a Religious Tuition Discount offering up to 25% of tuition and fees for eligible Catholic clergy, religious, and lay employees of Roman Catholic religious institutions when employer criteria are met.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who are Catholic clergy or members of religious orders, or lay employees of Catholic institutions whose employers provide the required matching benefit.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
University of Portland Grant
📅 Deadline: Jan 15 · 📢 Results: With financial aid offer
✓ Renews (8 yrs)
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Need‑based institutional grant that is packaged together with merit, federal, state, and outside aid; total gift aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
UP identifies the University of Portland Grant as its primary institutional need‑based grant, with amounts varying by FAFSA‑calculated need and funding.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Undergraduates pursuing a first bachelor’s degree who demonstrate financial need after federal and state aid are applied.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA/need thresholds are based on the most recent official University of Portland and partner program information. Figures may shift year-to-year depending on available funding and applicant pools.
- Leadership and Service opportunities (such as Archbishop Christie, which is already listed under Automatic Merit) may also carry recognition, but the main monetary value is captured in the automatic scholarship section.
Hidden Gem FAQ
Are these automatic?
No — each hidden gem has its own application process, whether through the School of Nursing, a religious employer, or an outside foundation.
Can these awards stack with UP merit scholarships?
Often yes. For example, Providence Scholars is layered on top of existing UP merit, though final totals can’t exceed direct costs. Always confirm stacking rules with Financial Aid.
Are these limited in number?
Yes. Providence Scholars has a set number of slots, and programs like Renaissance Scholars select only a handful each year.
Where do I apply?
Through the UP School of Nursing, UP Financial Aid office, or the outside scholarship organization depending on the award.
Sources:
Providence Scholars Program – https://nursing.up.edu/providence/providence-scholars.html
Trinity Scholars Program – https://www.trinityscholars.org/
Pilots First Award – https://www.up.edu/finaid/scholarships.html
University of Portland Financial Aid Handbook – https://up.edu/admissions/apply/freshman.html
University of Portland Grants – https://www.up.edu/finaid/financial-aid/grants.html
University of Portland Scholarships (Guide) – https://collegereadyparent.org/oregon/university-of-portland-scholarships/
🎖️ Honors College
The University of Portland offers an Honors Program (not a separate college) designed for highly motivated students who want an extra level of academic challenge. Admission is by application, and the program emphasizes small seminar-style classes, independent research, and leadership development. It’s a good fit for students who thrive on curiosity and want more than a standard degree path.
What a Typical UP Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA around 3.8+*, strong college-prep rigor, leadership in service or activities, and a clear interest in research or creative work.
Why It Matters:
Honors students receive priority registration, take part in small seminar courses, work closely with faculty mentors, and complete a capstone project or thesis. Some Honors cohorts also live together in dedicated residence hall communities.
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
*Profile estimates based on current class data and University disclosures. No extra Honors entry scholarship is published; all high achievers can compete for institutional awards.
Honors FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must submit a separate application to the Honors Program, typically alongside their admission application.
Does Honors add time to the degree?
No. The program is designed to integrate into the standard four-year degree plan, with Honors seminars replacing some core requirements.
Are there deadlines?
Yes. The Honors application follows UP’s admission deadlines, with a priority deadline of Feb. 15.
Is there extra scholarship money for Honors?
No separate Honors-only scholarships are published; students receive institutional or donor scholarships through the normal channels.
Sources:
University of Portland Honors Program – https://www.up.edu/honors/
Honors Program Timeline – https://www.up.edu/honors/timeline.html
For Applicants – https://www.up.edu/honors/apply.html
University of Portland Scholarships (Guide) – https://collegereadyparent.org/oregon/university-of-portland-scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
The University of Portland is a teaching-focused Catholic university that blends liberal arts with professional preparation. Parents often notice that UP has built a reputation for producing graduates in health care, education, and engineering who go straight into high-demand jobs in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The school emphasizes hands-on learning, internships, and service—making its programs especially attractive for students who want a clear path from classroom to career.
Signature Program: The School of Nursing & Health Innovations is nationally recognized, with NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates that consistently exceed state and national averages. Many students secure jobs at Providence and Legacy Health systems right after graduation.
- Engineering (Shiley School of Engineering) — Known regionally for civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering programs with strong ties to Portland’s tech and infrastructure industries.
- Business (Pamplin School of Business) — AACSB-accredited and ranked among the top regional business schools in the West (U.S. News & World Report 2024).
- Education — UP’s School of Education is one of Oregon’s leading teacher preparation programs, with graduates highly placed in K–12 schools statewide.
- Environmental Studies & Sustainability — Recognized for community-engaged sustainability projects and green campus initiatives that prepare students for careers in environmental policy and practice.
Final Thoughts
For many families, the sticker price at a private school like the University of Portland can feel intimidating. But once you factor in automatic merit awards, need-based grants, and hidden gems like the Providence Scholars Program, the real cost can be far less than expected. UP also offers strong academic specialties—especially in nursing, engineering, and education—that lead directly to careers in Oregon and beyond. If your student is looking for a close-knit campus with big opportunities, this guide should give you a clear picture of what’s possible and where to start.
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