Students at Pacific University achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with graduates consistently earning above-average salaries that place the institution among the top quarter of colleges nationwide.
The university particularly excels at supporting low-income students toward strong career outcomes, demonstrating effective upward mobility despite its selective profile.
Pacific University ranks as a solid choice among private nonprofit institutions, with graduates earning above-average long-term salaries that place the school in the 74th percentile nationally for return on investment. Located in Forest Grove, Oregon, this small private university serves about 27% Pell Grant recipients and 29% first-generation students, though access remains more limited than at typical public institutions.
What distinguishes Pacific University is its focus on professional and health science programs that translate into meaningful career outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $60,583 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong performance in specialized fields like dental assisting, where graduates can earn over $70,000. The university's small size allows for close faculty mentorship and targeted career preparation that helps students succeed in competitive professional fields.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Pacific University delivers strong outcomes for the students it enrolls, though its higher costs and more selective profile mean it serves a somewhat narrower range of families than larger public alternatives. For students who thrive in smaller academic environments and are drawn to health sciences or business programs, Pacific offers a pathway to solid financial returns.
Pacific University's program portfolio reflects its focus on professional preparation and health sciences. Dental assisting stands out as the highest-return program, with 30 graduates earning over $71,000 ten years out, demonstrating the value of specialized health science training. Business administration, with 51 graduates earning around $39,153, represents a solid middle-ground option that combines practical skills with broad career flexibility.
Biology, the university's largest program with 56 graduates, shows modest early earnings at $24,863, but this likely reflects the pre-professional nature of the program, with many students pursuing graduate school in medicine, dentistry, or research fields. The university's small scale allows for close mentorship and targeted career preparation that helps students succeed in competitive professional programs.
Pacific's focused program mix emphasizes quality over quantity, with concentrated strength in health sciences and business rather than attempting to cover every academic field. This approach allows the university to develop deep expertise and strong employer relationships in key areas, contributing to solid career outcomes for graduates.
Pacific University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $60,583 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 74th percentile nationally for return on investment. While the university's earnings performance doesn't dramatically exceed expectations compared with similar institutions, graduates consistently reach solid middle-class income levels that justify the investment for most families.
The strongest returns come from Pacific's health science programs, particularly dental assisting, where 30 graduates earn a median of $71,015 ten years out. Business administration graduates, representing one of the larger programs with 51 students, earn around $39,153 in early career. Biology, the university's largest program with 56 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $24,863, though many of these students likely pursue graduate school in medicine or related fields. This pattern reflects Pacific's strength in pre-professional preparation, where initial earnings may understate long-term career potential in fields requiring advanced degrees.
Pacific University presents affordability challenges for many families, with net prices that rank in the bottom 7% nationally for affordability. Low-income students pay about $22,238 annually, while middle-income families face costs around $28,427, and high-income families pay approximately $40,153. These price points reflect the premium associated with small, private college education and personalized attention.
Despite the higher sticker prices, Pacific University provides substantial financial aid that brings costs down significantly from the full tuition rate. The university's aid packaging helps make attendance possible for students from diverse economic backgrounds, though families should expect to contribute meaningfully to college costs. Most students who borrow take on federal student loan debt averaging $23,223, while families using Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $29,994. The combination of higher costs but strong long-term earnings helps graduates manage their debt obligations effectively after graduation.
Pacific University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
