Student Success
Awards and Rankings
University of Portland Ranked Among the Nation’s Top 100 Private Schools by U.S. News & World Report
Following years of consistent academic growth and expanded research initiatives, University of Portland has been named one of the Top 100 Private National Universities in the country, according to newly released U.S. News & World Report rankings.
On its 2027 Best Colleges list, U.S. News ranked UP No. 78 (tied) among private universities nationwide. Among all public and private institutions, UP placed No. 156 (tied) in the publication's National Universities category and was recognized as a Best Value School.
This marks the first time U.S. News has classified UP among National Universities, a distinction reserved for institutions offering a broad range of undergraduate majors, graduate and doctoral programs, and significant research activity.
Consistently recognized as one of the West’s leading institutions for more than three decades, UP now stands alongside many of the nation's most respected research and teaching universities. U.S. News ranked UP’s undergraduate engineering program No. 55 (tied) and its nursing program No. 56 (tied) among National Universities.
“This prestigious designation marks the University of Portland’s successful evolution from a regional powerhouse to a recognized force on the national higher education stage,” said President Robert D. Kelly, Ph.D. “Even as our profile grows, we remain steadfast in our enduring mission as a Catholic, Holy Cross institution to educate hearts and minds and prepare students for lives of purpose.”
Each year, U.S. News & World Report evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 measures of academic quality and student outcomes, including graduation and retention rates, social mobility, academic reputation, and post-graduate success.
“Earning a place among the nation’s top 100 private universities affirms the quality and the competitiveness of a University of Portland education,” said Provost David Mengel, Ph.D. “It reflects the strength of our academic programs, the research of our world-class faculty, and an educational experience that empowers graduates to thrive in their careers and communities.”
The recognition from U.S. News & World Report follows a series of recent national accolades for the University. Both The Princeton Review and Money magazine named UP among the nation's best colleges for 2026-27. Money awarded UP a 4.5-star rating for educational quality, affordability, and graduate outcomes. UP was one of only three private universities in the Pacific Northwest to receive this distinction.
Building on this momentum, UP welcomed 767 new students from 27 states and 14 countries in the fall 2026 semester, joining a total student body of more than 3,000 enrolled on The Bluff.
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