As returning University of Portland (UP) students welcome a gifted class of first year “Pilots” to the start of a new school year, two prominent college ranking services place the UP Bluff on high ground.

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University of Portland first-year student orientation begins on Thursday, August 21, and classes for the 2025-26 school year begin on Monday, August 25.

Money magazine’s 2025 list of “The Best Colleges in America” — which rates schools on quality of education, affordability and student outcomes — favored UP with a stellar 4.5-star rating.

In the Northwest, UP is one of four institutions—and one of two private universities—to receive Money’s 4.5-star rating. UP is one of only two Catholic universities in the West to reach the 4.5-star threshold.

UP also made The Princeton Review’s annual list of “The Best 391 Colleges,” earning special recognition as a Best Value College while ranking among the top institutions in the West.

“The sense of community here is unmatched,” wrote one University of Portland student in The Princeton Review rating survey. According to the book’s editors, others touted “phenomenal” professors, smaller class sizes, a “strong culture of spirituality,” and the “diverse set of minds” students encounter throughout campus.

Positive sentiments like these attracted UP’s incoming class of first year students to Portland. They hail from 35 U.S. states and 15 countries—boasting a 3.71 average unweighted GPA. Nearly 40 percent identify as Catholic, and 45 percent are First Generation college students.

“Money and The Princeton Review rightly recognize something about University of Portland that has been true for nearly 125 years—we offer a singularly transformational experience,” said University President Robert D. Kelly. “We are grateful that our superb quality, value and outcomes are once again being celebrated for all to see.”

“While these rankings do not tell the full story,” Dr. Kelly added, “they are nevertheless a fitting testament to the extraordinary impact of a University of Portland education.”

Money, the financial advice service, showcased 732 top colleges and universities, ranking each from 2 to 5 stars. UP was among 111 private schools nationwide to meet the 4.5-star standard. Basing its analysis on top value colleges, cost of attendance, financial aid and more, Money highlighted UP’s professional schools, liberal arts majors, special-interest clubs and its “robust study abroad program.”

In the Student Success category, Money emphasized UP’s 80 percent graduation rate and the fact that Pilot grads typically earn $82,800 in early career annual salary.

Learn more about joining UP as a student at https://www.up.edu/admissions/apply/index.html.

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“We are grateful that our superb quality, value and outcomes are once again being celebrated for all to see.” -University of Portland President Robert D. Kelly.