Like Willamette, Pacific University was founded in the mid-19th century to serve a growing region. Founded in 1849 —just seven years after Willamette, Pacific is deeply rooted in Oregon's history. Like Willamette, they have long paired liberal learning with professional preparation. Like us, they are committed to student-centered education and to preparing graduates for lives of service and leadership. And like us, their graduates have shaped the Northwest for generations. But they bring distinctive capabilities that extend our reach:
- Healthcare education leadership: Oregon's #1 private educator of healthcare professionals, with nationally recognized programs in optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies
- Research excellence: Pacific is the Northwest's #1 private research university, with over $25 million in active grants spanning climate solutions to fraud prevention technologies
- Geographic reach: Campuses in Forest Grove and Hillsboro connect Pacific authentically to rural Oregon and the technology corridor, complementing our presence in Salem and Portland at the centers of public service, culture, and commerce
- Program diversity: Together with PNCA, Willamette and Pacific would offer the Northwest's best and broadest portfolio—from liberal arts and sciences, health sciences, law, art and design, education, data and information science,business, and social work.
At-A-Glance
Mission
A diverse and sustainable community dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice, Pacific University inspires students to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world.
History & Legacy
- Founded in 1849 as Tualatin Academy by Tabitha Moffatt Brown, rooted in a vision to provide education and belonging for “all the children.”
- Home to 34,000+ alumni across all 50 states and 50 countries.
- Campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and Portland extend its mission across the region.
Institutional Strengths
- Comprehensive university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Lifelong learning pathways from preschool to PhD and professional practice.
- First in Oregon to offer education, optometry, OT, PT, and dental therapy degrees.
- Prepares more healthcare providers than any other private institution in Oregon
- Operates eight healthcare clinics open to the public, and provides community outreach through the provision of care in two mobile clinics – the EyeVan and the Smile Care Everywhere Van.
- Recognized as a transfer-friendly institution and leader in veteran support.
- Early Learning Community (ELC) educates children ages 4–grade 4 on the Forest Grove campus.
- Pacific Priority Program expands access, affordability, and graduate bridges through 4-year graduation guarantee, 2-year graduation guarantee for transfer students, and save-your-seat guarantee in 11 graduate programs for current undergraduates.
- Strong commitment to access, awarding more than $45 million in institutional student aid annually.
- Endowment, externally managed trusts and university investments over $100 million.
Research & Discovery
- Ranked #1 private research university in the Pacific Northwest; Top 10 in the West with $25M+ in active grants.
- Undergraduate and graduate students present alongside faculty at regional and national conferences,reinforcing Pacific’s role as a hub for discovery.
Academic Structure
- Pacific offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and minors across diverse fields of study.
- College of Undergraduate Studies - four schools: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Business.
- Popular majors: Kinesiology, Business, Education, Psychology, Biology, Criminal Justice, and Sports Leadership & Management; new program in Engineering Physics.
- College of Health Professions: Audiology (AuD); Dental Hygiene (BSDH, MSDH); Graduate Psychology (MA, PsyD, PhD in Clinical Psychology); Healthcare Administration & Leadership (DHS);Occupational Therapy (OTD); Pharmacy (PharmD, PhD); Physical Therapy & Athletic Training (DPT,MSAT); Physician Associate Studies (MSPA); Communication Sciences & Disorders (MS in Speech-Language Pathology).
- College of Optometry: Doctor of Optometry (OD); MS and PhD in Vision Science.
- College of Graduate Studies: Learning & Teaching (MAT, Residency Teacher Licensure, advanced programs); Education & Leadership (PhD); Business (MBA, Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership); Social Work (MSW); Fine Arts in Writing (MFA).
Programs & Student Body (Fall 2024)
- Enrollment: 3,440 headcount | 3,307 FTE.
- Undergraduate: 1,594 | Graduate/Professional: 1,844.
- Student–faculty ratio ~10:1.
- Demographics: 61% non-white, one-third first-gen, one-third low-income.
- One-third of undergraduates participate in athletics.
- Average GPA of 3.7 for incoming undergraduate students.
- Graduate and Professional students - high pass rates on licensing board examinations.
Campus Life and Athletics
- Member of the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference with 24 varsity teams and 4 JV teams.
- 60+ student clubs and organizations enrich campus life.
- The Nā Haumāna O Hawaiʻi (NHOH) club anchors a vibrant cultural tradition—its annual April Luau and Hōʻike draws thousands, making it one of the largest student-run cultural events in the U.S for the past 65 years.
- 7 residence halls, 3 opened within the past 17 years, house on average 900 students.