Lewis & Clark College

About Lewis & Clark College

Lewis & Clark traces its institutional history to an Oregon charter secured in 1867. Originally established as Albany Collegiate Institute, it later became Albany College, moved its operations to Portland, and adopted the Lewis & Clark College name after acquiring the Fir Acres estate in 1942. The institution now operates through three schools: the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and the School of Law. Its official catalogs for 2026–27 confirm continuing academic operations. The undergraduate college is a residential liberal arts institution whose students work toward the Bachelor of Arts. The fall 2025 official profile reports 1,967 degree-seeking undergraduates, alongside 721 students in the Graduate School of Education and Counseling and 627 in the School of Law. These figures describe distinct student populations within the same institution and should not be interpreted as undergraduate enrollment alone. The college’s scale and structure may appeal to students who want a primarily undergraduate liberal arts environment while retaining access to graduate and professional schools on adjacent campuses. Its Portland setting also informs experiential courses, internships, community engagement, and off-campus learning. Students considering Lewis & Clark should weigh the benefits of a small residential college against the required campus-living period and the cost of attendance. The official 2026–27 materials provide current program, policy, housing, and cost information for that comparison.

For first-year undergraduate applicants, Lewis & Clark accepts the Common Application and charges no application fee. The current admissions page requires a secondary-school report, personal essay, and teacher recommendation. Academic or nonacademic work and an interview are optional. The college is test-free: it does not use SAT or ACT scores in undergraduate admission decisions. The published application schedule lists binding Early Decision I and nonbinding Early Action deadlines of November 1. Binding Early Decision II and nonbinding Regular Decision use January 15. Transfer admission is rolling, with April 1 recommended for submission of all credentials. Applicants considering a later submission should contact admissions because post-deadline applications are considered only at the office’s discretion and as space permits. These dates appeared on the official site as of August 20, 2026; applicants should confirm that they apply to their intended entry term. International undergraduates use the same application platform and submit the core first-year materials. They must also provide a certificate of financial responsibility and, when English is not their first language, proof of English proficiency. The official page does not present one universal English-test minimum in the material reviewed, so applicants should consult the current checklist for accepted evidence and any waiver provisions. Graduate and law applicants follow separate school-specific processes. Their requirements, prerequisites, start terms, and deadlines should not be inferred from the undergraduate schedule.

Undergraduate study leads to the Bachelor of Arts and requires at least 128 semester credits under the requirements applying to students entering in fall 2026 or later. Students complete general education, an approved major, and institutional residency requirements. The official undergraduate catalog lists 29 majors, spanning the arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and interdisciplinary study. Options include biology, computer science, data science, economics, environmental studies, international affairs, psychology, rhetoric and media studies, and a student-designed major. The catalog also provides numerous minors, allowing students to add a secondary field or combine disciplines. The curriculum is structured as a liberal arts program rather than narrowly vocational training. The college describes a typical undergraduate program as divided roughly among general education, major requirements, and electives. Preprofessional pathways and advising are available in areas such as law, medicine, engineering, business, and teaching, but students should verify the precise curriculum and professional-school prerequisites rather than treating these pathways as separate undergraduate degrees. Experiential options include Portland-connected courses, faculty-student research, and overseas or off-campus study. The official 2026–27 college profile says more than half of students use overseas or off-campus opportunities and lists more than 35 offerings, although destinations and schedules vary by year. Graduate education is concentrated in education and counseling-related fields. The Graduate School of Education and Counseling confers MA, MS, MAT, MEd, EdS, and EdD awards. Because admission standards and deadlines vary by graduate program, prospective graduate students should consult the program-specific catalog rather than undergraduate admissions guidance.

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.