Acceptance Rate
78%
Avg. SAT
1380
75th percentile
“Tucked on a wooded bluff above Portland, Lewis & Clark molds outdoorsy activists into worldly thinkers through intimate classes and mandatory global adventures.”
Portland, OR
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
You arrive at Lewis & Clark expecting a typical liberal arts college, but you quickly discover its roots as the Albany Collegiate Institute, founded in 1867 by Presbyterian missionaries in rural Oregon before relocating to its current forested perch overlooking Portland in 1946 and adopting the Lewis & Clark name to evoke the spirit of westward exploration. This legacy infuses the campus with a pioneering ethos—think students who thrive on self-directed discovery amid misty evergreens rather than cutthroat competition. The college draws independent souls who love dissecting policy over campfire debates, hike the nearby Columbia Gorge on weekends, and rally for climate justice; if you crave big-party scenes or pre-professional pipelines, you'll feel out of sync here amid the progressive, introspective vibe. Portland amplifies this: dive into food cart pods, indie bookstores, and craft breweries just minutes away, but brace for nine months of drizzle that keeps everyone cozy indoors or kayaking anyway. Tradeoffs hit hard—sky-high tuition without Ivy prestige means you're betting on personal growth over name-brand cachet, and the 69% acceptance rate welcomes a diverse but not elite crowd.
Photo Gallery
+43
+35
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Lewis & Clark's small seminars, where your 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your hiking alias as well as your thesis topic, you'll grapple with real-world puzzles like Pacific Northwest ecology or international diplomacy through the college's crown jewel: its Overseas Studies program, where nearly every undergrad logs a semester abroad in places like Shanghai or Copenhagen, far outpacing peers at comparable schools. Standouts include environmental studies, leveraging Portland's green ethos for hands-on research in urban sustainability, and a pre-law track that feeds into strong bar passage rates without the LSAT grind of bigger names. Classrooms buzz with Socratic debates rather than lectures, fostering thinkers who connect dots across disciplines, though you might miss the research firepower of larger universities—expect collaborative projects over solo lab marathons, and occasional frustration if you seek hyper-specialized STEM tracks.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
2,139 undergrad • 1,365 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
66%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
12%
Asian
5%
Other / Multi-racial
14%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Portland, OR
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week at Lewis & Clark kicks off with Monday morning constitutional law seminar, segues into Thursday's environmental policy hike in Forest Park (the nation's largest urban woodland), and wraps with Friday's open mic at the student union or a rally against fossil fuels. You'll live in one of five residential villages, each with its quirky theme like eco-sustainability or global cuisine, turning dorm life into a tight-knit commune where suitemates become lifers—perfect if you bond over board games and bonfires, less so if you need constant variety. Traditions like the fall "Pioneer Prom" or spring "Fir Ball" (nodding to the towering Douglas firs everywhere) keep spirits high, fueled by 150+ clubs from ultimate frisbee to Model UN. Socially, it's welcomingly quirky and LGBTQ+-friendly, with Portland's music scene and Voodoo Doughnuts as weekend escapes, but the rainy isolation can amplify introversion or cabin fever, especially if you're from sunnier climes craving Greek life glamour.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Northwest Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$23,368
$30K – $48K
$20,075
$48K – $75K
$28,328
$75K – $110K
$32,031
$110K+
$42,968
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
89%
4 Years Graduation Rate
67%
6 Years Graduation Rate
74%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$62,205
89% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Lewis & Clark College and return in the fall. 67% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 74% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
67%
4-5 years
7%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
25%
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.
Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$59,250
Acceptance
78%
Undergrads
2,139
4-Year Grad Rate
67%
Endowment
$281M
Portland, OR 97219-7899
Explore More