National Recognition
Pacific University is consistently recognized as one of the top colleges in the United States, not only for our academic excellence but also for the value and support we offer students. We strive to offer exceptional learning opportunities to every student —in the classroom, through internships and practicum placements, and by connecting with our communities.
College of Arts & Sciences
No. 1 Research Institute in the Pacific Northwest
The National Science Foundation ranks Pacific University as the No. 1 private research university in the Pacific Northwest and No. 8 in the Far West, among peers like Stanford and the University of Southern California.
Best College for Veterans
U.S. News & World Report ranks Pacific University as one of the nation’s Best Colleges for Veterans. Tied for No. 121 in the country, Pacific supports veteran students with a holistic approach to admissions and a small, personal learning environment with individual and group support for all students.
Best Value School
Pacific University is among the best values in Oregon, according to U.S. News & World Report. The 2021 report ranked Pacific the best value among National Universities in Oregon.
Sustainable University
Pacific University received a silver ranking for sustainability from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s STARS program. The recognition accounts for a wide range of sustainability practices, including air and climate, wellbeing and work, transportation practices, academic research, campus engagement, student life, and campus biodiversity.
Best College for Student Voting
Pacific University is among the Best Colleges for Student Voting, according to nonprofit news organization Washington Monthly. The Student Voting Honor Roll recognizes American colleges that develop action plans to bolster student voter registration rates. Pacific is the only Oregon college on the 2020 honor roll.
College of Business
ACBSP Accredited College of Business
The Pacific University College of Business, founded in 2013, was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Practices (ACBSP) in 2020. Building on 70 years of excellence in business education, the college now includes an MBA program with general and healthcare management tracks, expanded undergraduate degree offerings, and a placement services office to build networking opportunities for students, alumni, and regional business leaders.
College of Education
Exceptional Teacher Preparation Programs
Pacific University’s teacher preparation programs have been commended by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. The commission singled out Pacific for its emphasis on real-world focused and practice-based learning experiences, its development of collaborative teaching instruments, and for “setting a high bar” with double the state-mandated student-teaching time.
Grant-Winning STEM Programs
The Pacific University College of Education’s STEM/ESOL teaching program in Woodburn, Ore., received a competitive $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support its work to prepare more women and people of color to teach science, technology, engineering and math. The grant funds $25,000 scholarships for eligible students.
Top Speech-Language Pathology Program
U.S. News & World Report puts Pacific University in the top half of all speech-language pathology programs in the country, according to its 2021 graduate health programs rankings. Pacific’s School of Communication Sciences & Disorders offers the esteemed master’s degree program, as well as an undergraduate minor and a post-baccalaureate program in communication sciences and disorders.
College of Health Professions
Best College for Pre-Professional Programs
Pacific University was ranked third nationally for its undergraduate programs in health sciences by Intelligent.com, a college rankings service. Intelligent also named Pacific the best college for pre-professional programs in Oregon and second overall among Oregon’s private colleges.
Best Bachelor in Dental Hygiene
Students seeking a degree in dental hygiene can’t do better than enrolling in Pacific University’s bachelor’s program in Hillsboro, according to GradReports, which ranks Pacific as its No. 1 school. The data-driven ranking is based on program cost, graduating student debt, and median salary.
Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Health Science
Pacific University has been named one of 2021's Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Health Science by EduMed.org. Just 8 percent of colleges and universities across the country earn a position in one of EduMed.org's higher education rankings.
Top Occupational Therapy Program
The Pacific University School of Occupational Therapy is No. 36 in the country — out of nearly 200 — according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 graduate health programs rankings. Pacific is the only ranked program in Oregon.
Top Physical Therapy Program
The Pacific University School of Physical Therapy is in the top third of all physical therapy programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 graduate health programs rankings. Pacific is the top ranked program in Oregon.
College of Optometry
Top 10 Optometry Program
The Pacific University College of Optometry is among the Top 10 in the country. GradDegree.com ranked Pacific among its 2021 Best Optometry Schools. At Pacific, students can complete a four-year doctoral degree to become an optometrist — a career that GradDegree.com reports offers an average salary of more than $99,000 a year in Oregon. Pacific’s College of Optometry also offers bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees in vision science.