For the second year in a row, Pacific University is the top private research university in the Pacific Northwest, according to figures collected and reported by the National Science Foundation.
About Pacific University
Founded in 1849, Pacific University is a diverse learning community offering a unique combination of nationally recognized undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the arts and sciences, education, business, optometry and the health professions.
The Pacific Difference
Pacific’s focus on teaching and learning in a close nurturing environment leads to genuine transformation in students’ lives.
About one in four of our students — from freshmen to future doctors — are the first in their families to attend college. And our students experience greater socioeconomic growth as a result of their educations than their peers at other colleges in the Pacific Northwest.
At Pacific, students build deep personal relationships with friends, mentors, faculty members, and academic and career counselors.
Our students mix their rigorous academic experiences with meaningful research, community engagement and life experiences, helping them become successful and active citizens and community leaders.
Printable Pacific University At a Glance 2020
3,875 students
1,875 undergraduate students
1,995 graduate students
5 non-degree seeking students
(2019-2020 headcount)
39%
of students attend classes outside Forest Grove
93%
of recent undergrad alumni are working, volunteering, or in graduate school
National Recognition
We put a premium on small classes and personal attention. We want our students to call Pacific “home.”
Meanwhile, outside of Pacific, people are calling us some great things too! Like “Best Value School” and "Best in the West."
Pacific is consistently recognized by national news organizations for its quality.
- Pacific is the No. 1 private research university in the Pacific Northwest and ranks No. 10 on the West Coast, among the likes of USC and Stanford.
- We're among U.S. News & World Report’s top National Universities for 2020, plus named a Best Value School, Best College for Veterans, and Top Performer for Social Mobility.
- We also were on the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education list of America’s Top Colleges — a list that includes only the top third of all undergraduate institutions.
- In 2019, Pacific earned a silver ranking for sustainability under the national STARS program.
Headlines
The publication's 2020 college rankings put Pacific among the top in the country overall, as well as for value, veterans, and social mobility.
Small classes, high diversity, and student confidence put Pacific in the upper half of the elite rankings.