University of Portland Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See Oregon aid & Grants
Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~95%
- Middle 50% ACT: 28
- Middle 50% SAT: 1269
- Average GPA: 3.69
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Portland at a Glance
- No full-tuition scholarship: Even top students max out around ~$28K/year — families should expect a remaining gap
- Private school pricing still applies: Automatic merit helps, but this is still a high-cost baseline compared to public options.
- Faith-based and leadership awards matter: Some of the best additional funding comes from mission-aligned scholarships, not just academics.
- Merit is common—but varies widely: Most students receive something, but the difference between $10K and $28K is huge financially.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Portland is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 28; SAT: 1269.
Average net price? About $36,371/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
University of Portland – Scholarships and Financial Aid: https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/scholarships.html
University of Portland – Institutional Scholarships: https://www.up.edu/finaid/scholarships-and-grants/institutional-scholarships.html
Trinity Scholars Program site: https://www.trinityscholars.org/
UP Grants page: https://www.up.edu/finaid/financial-aid/grants.html
UP Admissions Viewbook 2025–2026: https://www.up.edu/admissions/files/2025-2026-viewbook-accessible.pdf
Providence Scholars Program information page: https://nursing.up.edu/undergraduate-program/prov-scholars-program-info.html
UP Financial Aid Handbook – Religious Tuition Discount: https://www.up.edu/finaid/files/2425-financial-aid-handbook.pdf
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 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.
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
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship | $28,000–$30,000/yr | First-years with very strong GPA & rigorous coursework | No | Yes, up to 8 semesters; must stay full-time and meet academic progress | Students with GPAs near 3.8–4.0*; top academic rigor | Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD) |
| Archbishop Christie Scholarship | ≈ $35,000/yr | Top Catholic HS students; top ~2% of class | No | Yes, 8 semesters | Only a handful; typically 4.0 GPA, strongest rigor | Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD) |
| Holy Cross / Arthur A. Schulte, Jr. / Howard Vollum | $24,000–$26,000/yr | Strong GPA; some tied to Catholic HS or majors (e.g. engineering, CS) | No | Yes, 8 semesters | High-achievers, often 3.6–3.9+ GPA* with rigor | Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD) |
| General Institutional Merit | Up to $28,000/yr | Based on GPA & strength of curriculum; test scores optional but considered | No | Yes, 8 semesters | Range of strong GPAs; mid 3.5s earn lower tiers; higher GPAs get max awards* | Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD) |
*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.
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.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | What Makes It Competitive | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? / Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | — | — | Dec. 1 (EA) / Feb. 15 (RD) |
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.
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
🎖️ 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.
High school GPA around 3.8+*, strong college-prep rigor, leadership in service or activities, and a clear interest in research or creative work.
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.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP Honors Program (entry only) | No entry scholarship; receives perks above | First-years with GPA ≈3.8+, academic rigor, leadership/service | Yes—Honors application required | N/A | Most accepted have high academics plus engagement | Feb. 15 (priority deadline; same as RD) |
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.
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.
- 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.