University of Portland (UP)

Students can't stop raving about the quality of professors at the University of Portland: "phenomenal-no question about it," puts one, while another elaborates that students are "always able to get something out of every lecture" because of how "clear, brilliant, and genuinely enjoyable" the teachers are. This boils down to two things: First, the smaller class sizes mean establish a "super strong community" in which "the professors get the chance to get to know each and every one of their students personally and are able to help them in a way that is customized to them." Second, the faculty "are all incredibly knowledgeable and interested in both the course content and their students." As an education major puts it about their department, having professors who "were teachers themselves" is a huge perk that makes this undergrad "feel very confident about my ability to find a teaching job and thrive in my own classroom." Instructors also don't hesitate to take learning off campus. One senior boasts that as part of their capstone class they are "part of a racing team where we are developing an electric go-kart to race in an upcoming collegiate competition."

It seems that at UP, students do indeed go up, up, and away, with business students emphasizing the school's "connections at Nike, Adidas, Intel, and most companies based in Portland." Others value the "etiquette dinner for business students to network with alumni and learn proper manners." The University of Portland also boasts a highly valued nursing program. "I'm very thankful and grateful for the professors I've had during my college experience," says one nursing student, "I feel better prepared for the beginning of my post-grad life working as an RN thanks to them."

"The sense of community here is unmatched," enthuses one student-as long as you're willing to get involved. In short, "while students are focused on their academics...there is still a social scene and atmosphere if you want it." To put it another way: "Almost everyone I know is involved in a club or organization, and it is where I have met almost all of my friends." The student body includes "students with different identities, cultures, [and] passions." One student describes their peers as "mostly PNW-style, [and] outdoorsy...either nonreligious or progressive religious," and others value the "diverse set of minds" and "very unique people'' they're surrounded by on campus. Students also note that "the University of Portland has been growing with more diverse students, but more importantly more diverse professors." The University of Portland also has "a large amount of students from other nations, which really enriches the culture and connectedness between one another." Students are "very outspoken, they are not scared to speak up," and are known for their willingness to "uplift each student's uniqueness."

Affectionately known as "The Bluff," the UP campus offers a lifestyle "like no other." Dorms offer a strong "'lobby culture' so there's always people in the lobby doing homework, or playing a game with a friend, or just relaxing." There's an equally strong religious culture-true to the school's Holy Cross roots-in that each dorm has its own chapel. "There is always a way to grow stronger in your faith here." And while students emphasize all the fun there is to be had with sports and dances and the weekly Pilots After Dark pubstyle event ("Sometimes there is trivia, drag performances, [or] seasonal activities"), UP is "overall not a party school." Instead of discussing drinking, students speak of how "The Bluff is a beautiful place, and just walking around campus is so relaxing," and revel in the "outdoor opportunities available in the Pacific Northwest," like kayaking, camping, and skiing. There's an Outdoor Pursuits Program that "offers students the ability to learn the basics and exposes people to the outdoors."