This announcement was originally released by the University of Portland Office of Public Affairs. For the original release, visit www.up.edu.
PORTLAND, OR – University of Portland (UP) is now THE top-ranked university in the
"Regional Universities – West" classification for 2022-23 according to
U.S. News & World Report magazine. UP has consistently landed in the upper echelon of the annual rankings, having been ranked second in both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 listings, and third in 2021-22. This latest ranking marks the 28th consecutive year that UP has achieved a Top 10 position. A complete look at the UP content published by the magazine can be found at
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-portland-3224. The full rankings of the best Regional Universities are available at
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities.
"This #1 ranking is a testament to the strength of our academic offerings, the richness of our educational experience, and the brilliance and dedication of our students, staff, and faculty," said University President
Robert D. Kelly, PhD. "I am thrilled that
U.S. News & World Report has recognized the transformational education we offer at UP – an education rooted in our Catholic, Holy Cross commitment to teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership. I hope that this new ranking will inspire even more prospective students, staff, and faculty to join us on The Bluff."
Among notable measures in the
U.S. News & World Report methodology is the University's 89% average first-year-to-second-year retention rate for the past several years. UP also ranks third among Regional Universities – West in its approach to undergraduate classroom teaching. And the reputation for excellence of the University's
Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering remains consistent. In the latest rankings, the engineering program was tied for 35
th nationally among 230 engineering schools whose highest degree is a bachelor's or master's.
For nearly three decades, University of Portland has performed exceptionally well in the Regional Universities – West category. Regional Universities offer a full range of undergraduate and master's programs emphasizing teaching, learning, and high-impact practices. The publication's methodology for ranking institutions in this category focuses on student retention rates, peer assessment and faculty resources, as well as on student selectivity, financial resources earmarked for educational purposes, and the alumni giving rate.
UP's new fall semester delivered notable trends among its new incoming students, even with a lingering backdrop of negative factors influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. UP attracted more than 900 new first-year and transfer students, 60% of which identified UP as their "first choice" for a college education; 35% were first-generation college students in their families; and 59% identified as students of color. In addition to the new students, the University welcomed thousands of sophomores, juniors, and seniors back to campus for the 2022-23 academic year – the inaugural year for Dr. Kelly as UP's 21
st president and first layperson to hold that position.
