Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Forest Grove, Oregon |
| Online | pacificu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Pacific University sits in Forest Grove, Oregon, approximately 25 miles west of Portland in the Tualatin Valley. Founded in 1849 as a school for orphans of the Oregon Trail, it is the first chartered university in the Pacific Northwest and occupies a compact suburban campus known for its brick buildings and historic Old College Hall. The university maintains selective admission standards and is recognized for its optometry program, which was the first established in the Pacific Northwest, along with strong offerings in health professions, education, and liberal arts. Pacific operates additional campuses in Hillsboro, Eugene, and Woodburn, with most undergraduate students residing in campus housing during their first two years. The university competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Boxers, primarily in the Northwest Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Pacific is rated within the top 41% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Pacific University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#406 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#290 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#8 in Best Colleges in Oregon
#6 in Best Private Colleges in Oregon
#504 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#9 in Best Value Colleges in Oregon
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 990/1240 |
| ACT | 17/28 |
| GPA | 3.73 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 25, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $40 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,050 |
| Other Fees | $1,292 |
| Room and Board | $15,058 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $1,800 |
| Total One Year Cost | $72,374 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Biology | 13% |
| Health Professions | 11% |
| Education | 10% |
| Social Sciences | 9% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Pacific are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=209612 IPEDS survey data for Pacific University.
Current students may use the Pacific University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025