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University of Portland ranked #2 for 2023-24 in Western Region on U.S. News & World Report Lists of Best Colleges and Universities

Awards and Rankings

September 18, 2023

For the fifth consecutive year, University of Portland (UP) has been ranked as a top three university in the Western Region by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine’s 2023-24 rankings, released today, rank UP #2 among “Best Regional Universities – West.”

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In addition to earning the West Region’s #1 ranking last year (2022-23), UP also ranked #2 on the U.S. News “Best in the West” list for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years. Dating back to 1995, the University has now earned a Top 10 U.S. News ranking in the West Region for 29 consecutive years. 

A complete look at the UP content published by the magazine can be found at: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-Portland-3224. The Best Regional Universities – West rankings are available at: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities-west.

Among Regional Universities – West, U.S. News & World Report also ranked UP #2 in the “Most Innovative Schools” category, and #2 for its impactful approach to Undergraduate Teaching.  Nationally, UP’s Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering earned a #40 ranking among Best Undergraduate Engineering programs, and UP’s School of Nursing & Health Innovations ranked 86th among the nation’s undergraduate nursing programs.

“At University of Portland, we offer students a transformational education that positions them well for lives of meaning, fulfillment and success,” said UP President Robert D. Kelly. “I am pleased that U.S. News & World Report has once again recognized UP as a top three institution in the West, with particular commendation for our undergraduate teaching and approach to innovation. These accolades serve only to reaffirm what many of us already know: UP is an exceptional Catholic, Holy Cross institution where students grow, thrive, graduate on-time, and make a positive difference in the world.”

U.S. News also ranked UP as the #6 “Best Value” among Regional Universities – West. These areas of recognition add to the University’s ongoing accolades as a top-tier university, including these national placements: 

  • The Princeton Review named UP to its list of ‘The Best 389 Colleges – 2024,’ relying solely on students ranking their colleges among the nation’s best in areas such as undergraduate academics and unique cultures.

 

  • Money.com Best Colleges in America for 2023 – One of only two Oregon colleges making the list, UP is praised for “quality, affordability and outcomes,” along with a high graduation rate and strong academics.
  • WalletHub’s 2023 Best Colleges & Universities Award – Rated UP as Oregon’s “Best University” based on strength in such categories as Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing and Career Outcomes.  WalletHub compares more than 900 higher education institutions from across the country in 30 key measures to determine its top performing schools at the lowest possible cost.

 

  • Niche.com “A-“ National Rating – These rankings are generated from rigorous analysis of key statistics from the United States Department of Education and millions of reviews.  In its 2024 compilation, UP was rated #16 among more than 200 “Best Catholic Colleges in America.”

In the fall 2023 semester, UP enrolled more than 800 new first-year and transfer students; 35% were first-generation college students in their families; and 62% identified as students of color. In addition to new students, the University welcomed thousands of sophomores, juniors and seniors back to campus for the 2023-24 academic year.