Lewis & Clark College

Key Highlights

• Founded in 1867 and operating in Portland under the Lewis & Clark College name
• Comprises an undergraduate college, a graduate school, and a law school
• Official fall 2025 profile reports 1,967 degree-seeking undergraduates
• Accredited as a private nonprofit four-year institution by NWCCU

Student Life & Environment

Lewis & Clark describes its undergraduate college as a residential campus. Undergraduates generally must live on campus for four semesters unless they meet an exemption, such as living locally with a parent or guardian, being married, reaching the specified age threshold, or entering as a transfer student with sufficient credits. Students for whom housing flexibility is important should review the current exemption rules before committing. The official 2026–27 profile lists more than 120 student-run clubs and groups, encompassing cultural and affinity organizations, academic groups, service and social-justice organizations, student media, performing ensembles, special interests, and club sports. It also reports 21 NCAA Division III varsity teams competing in the Northwest Conference, along with intramural activities. Lewis & Clark does not have fraternities or sororities. Residence halls are supported by professional area directors and trained undergraduate leaders. Living-learning communities offer themed residential options, while dining services provide multiple plans and accommodations that include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. Campus programming extends beyond the residence halls through concerts, theatre, dance, lectures, exhibitions, and student-led symposia. Outdoor recreation is a visible part of campus life. The College Outdoors program organizes trips during the year, and the wooded campus provides immediate access to green space. Students who prefer a dense urban campus should note that daily undergraduate life is centered in a quieter residential area rather than downtown Portland.

Location & Surroundings

Lewis & Clark’s three campuses sit in the forested hills of South Portland, approximately six miles from downtown. The undergraduate campus spans a ravine, while the law school borders Tryon Creek State Natural Area. This setting gives students a distinctly wooded and residential home base while keeping Portland’s employers, cultural institutions, public agencies, and community organizations within reach. The separation from downtown is an important practical consideration. Lewis & Clark operates a free academic-year shuttle connecting campus with downtown and other transportation links; the institution announced a revised route beginning in fall 2026. The downtown stop connects with MAX light rail, streetcar, and TriMet bus service. The shuttle does not operate during the summer session, so summer students and employees need other arrangements. Portland can support internships, service learning, arts participation, and coursework linked to urban and regional issues. At the same time, students should assess commute times, evening transportation, and whether they want to bring a vehicle. The campus’s wooded terrain may also make an accessibility-focused visit especially useful before enrollment.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, Lewis & Clark publishes undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees of $71,092. Standard on-campus housing in a double room is $9,578, and the cited 14-meal flex plan is $7,314. The financial-aid office estimates books, personal expenses, and transportation separately; its total estimated cost of attendance for a typical student living on campus is $91,636. Degree-seeking students must carry qualifying health insurance. The college-sponsored plan costs $5,655 for 2026–27 but may be waived when a student has comparable coverage. Individual course charges and personal choices can change the total. The listed price is not the same as every student’s net cost. The college offers merit scholarships, need-based grants, campus employment, and loans. All admitted undergraduates are automatically considered for merit awards, which the current aid page says begin at $24,000 per year. Domestic applicants seeking federal and institutional need-based aid should complete the FAFSA; international applicants may be considered for institutional merit and need-based support under separate procedures. Families should use the net price calculator and compare grant aid, borrowing, work expectations, and renewal conditions in the actual award. Career preparation includes advising, Portland-area internships, alumni connections, and a Career Accelerator initiative intended to integrate skills development and paid internships across academic programs. Lewis & Clark reports that 96 percent of its Class of 2024 was employed, continuing education, or performing service work within six months: 71 percent employed, 22 percent studying, and 3 percent in service. This is a college-reported outcome for that graduating class, not a salary or placement guarantee.