Lewis & Clark College
#2 Best Psychology Colleges in Oregon- Graduation Rate
- 73% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,205 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $36,013 F
- 110% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 14.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.4 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Psychology Colleges in Oregon.
Every $1 spent returns $14.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,923,363.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 53% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lewis & Clark College Matters
Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college in Portland, OR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 2,120
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Lewis & Clark College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 78% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $36,013 a year after grants and scholarships — 110% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,205 ten years after enrolling — 53% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 56% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.78 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Lewis & Clark College is a great fit for students looking for a close-knit community in a vibrant city like Portland. With around 2,120 students and an acceptance rate of 78%, it's accessible to many who are drawn to its strong programs in Social Sciences, Psychology, Biology and Biomedical Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, and English and Literature. This school stands out for its emphasis on a liberal arts education, encouraging students to explore diverse interests while honing critical thinking skills.
Looking at life after graduation, the figures are encouraging. Graduates earn a median salary of $62,205 ten years after finishing their studies. This suggests that the education received here translates well into the job market, with many students finding rewarding careers. It’s worth considering that around 20% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that financial aid is available for those who need it, which can help ease the burden of tuition.
On the financial side, the net price after aid comes to about $36,013, and the median debt load is $19,500. This means that while the cost can be significant, students often leave with manageable debt, especially considering their earning potential. Those who thrive here are typically self-motivated and eager to engage in both academic and extracurricular opportunities, making the most of their time in this supportive environment.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Lewis & Clark College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lewis & Clark College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Portland, Oregon, Lewis & Clark College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 30. The graduation rate is roughly 73%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 89%
- ACT Midpoint
- 30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 97%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,908
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.57
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 6,663
- Admitted
- 4,570
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lewis & Clark College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lewis & Clark College is $64,828, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,013. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,962 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $64,828
- Out-of-State
- $64,828
- Avg Net Price
- $36,013
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 66%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,962
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,362
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,712
- Family Income $110K+
- $44,990
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Lewis & Clark College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lewis & Clark College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lewis & Clark College earn a median of $62,205, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,608
- 8 Years
- $51,866
- 10 Years
- $62,205
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.31x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (385)
- 69%
- 100% (385)
- 69%
- 100% (385)
- 69%
- 100% (385)
- 69%
How Lewis Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lewis & Clark College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lewis & Clark College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $36,013/year ($144,052 total). Graduates earn $62,205 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,067,415 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,923,363 (14.4× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 73% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $144,052
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,067,415
- Net Return
- $1,923,363
- ROI Multiple
- 14.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $36,013
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 73%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lewis & Clark College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lewis & Clark College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.36%, well above the typical college. About 5.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 26.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $119,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.36%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 26.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $161,815
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,925,441
Top Programs
The fields Lewis & Clark College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Social Sciences 19% $43,782 early-career
- Psychology 17% $35,787 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 15% $31,588 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 10% $25,230 early-career
- English & Literature 6% $36,992 early-career
- Communications 6% $41,235 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Mathematics & Statistics 3% $29,935 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lewis & Clark College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lewis & Clark College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Portland, Oregon, Lewis & Clark College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 30. The graduation rate is roughly 73%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lewis & Clark College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lewis & Clark College is $64,828, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,013. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,962 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is Lewis & Clark College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lewis & Clark College earn a median of $62,205, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lewis & Clark College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lewis & Clark College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.36%, well above the typical college. About 5.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 26.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $119,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lewis & Clark College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lewis & Clark College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 16% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Lewis & Clark College offer Early Decision?
No. Lewis & Clark College does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lewis & Clark College.
- DeSales UniversityCenter Valley, PA · Close peer72% grad $61,295 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Shenandoah UniversityWinchester, VA · Close peer69% grad $58,433 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-WisconsinMequon, WI · Close peer66% grad $56,075 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks, CA · Close peer72% grad $68,712 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA · Close peer76% grad $63,998 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN · Close peer73% grad $63,764 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lewis & Clark College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lewis & Clark College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 16% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note