Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Pacific University #1246 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,363, placing Pacific University in the 57.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Pacific University sits in the 58.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Pacific University #1246 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Forest Grove, Oregon, Pacific University enrolls roughly 1,516 undergraduates. Retention is 79.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 67.0%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Pacific University builds its composite strength on return on investment and access. Azimuth ranks Pacific University #697 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pacific University in the 58.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant program family is Health, which aligns with strong regional labor-market demand in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Access and affordability round out the profile. 27.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.6% are first-generation college students, positioning Pacific University as an accessible option for students from lower-income and first-generation backgrounds. Azimuth ranks Pacific University in the 12.8 percentile for access and the 9.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families weighing long-term financial outcomes alongside upfront cost, Pacific University's combination of manageable pricing and earnings-above-expectations performance offers a meaningful value proposition in the private nonprofit sector.
Pacific University's published cost of attendance is $72,374. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $23,318, families in the lower-middle range pay around $23,607, middle-income families pay about $29,844, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $34,369, and higher-income families pay around $40,911. Azimuth ranks Pacific University #1287 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Pacific University uses the FAFSA and CSS Profile to assess financial need and award aid. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families should review the financial aid page for current aid policies and application deadlines. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,223, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $33,960; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,363, median federal debt of $23,223 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Pacific University is a strong fit for students drawn to health professions and applied fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in OR. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,363, placing Pacific University in the 57.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pacific University in the 58.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 27.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 28.6% are first-generation — and delivers outcomes that place Pacific University in the 71.7 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 89.6% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors health professions and applied fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory among the strongest in OR.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Pacific University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Pacific University's published cost of attendance is $72,374. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $23,318, families in the lower-middle range pay around $23,607, middle-income families pay about $29,844, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $34,369, and higher-income families pay around $40,911.
Azimuth ranks Pacific University #1287 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Pacific University uses the FAFSA and CSS Profile to assess financial need and award aid. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families should review the [financial aid page](https://www.pacificu.edu/) for current aid policies and application deadlines. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,223, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $33,960; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,363, median federal debt of $23,223 projects to a monthly payment of about $262 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Pacific University earn median 4-year earnings of $62,363, placing Pacific University in the 57.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pacific University in the 58.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Pacific University #697 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Pacific University's concentration in health-related fields.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 43 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $62,484, representing 1.2× the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 42 students earning $53,092, and the The Kinesiology program graduates 42 students earning $56,053.
Together, these programs anchor the institution's outcomes in fields where employer demand remains strong and career pathways are well-established across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Computer Science
12 graduates
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
33 graduates
Health and Medical Administrative Services
14 graduates
Criminology
7 graduates
Psychology, General
43 graduates
Pacific University's program mix is anchored in health sciences and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a comprehensive private university with deep roots in clinical and applied disciplines. Psychology, General is the largest program with 43 graduates, followed by Biology, General, Kinesiology, Business Administration, and Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.
Across 31 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with particular strength concentrated in health-related and business-oriented fields. The institution's earnings profile reflects the dominance of Health.
Among the highest-earning programs, Dental Support Services and Allied Professions graduates earn $78,641 four years after enrollment with 33 graduates, followed by Health Administration at $76,880 with 14 graduates and Psychology, General at $62,484 with 43 graduates. Psychology, General, the largest program, delivers median earnings of $62,484, demonstrating that scale and strong financial outcomes align across the institution's core offerings.
The program portfolio reflects Pacific University's positioning as a health-sciences-focused private institution serving students who prioritize direct entry into stable, in-demand professions. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with labor-market demand in healthcare, business administration, and related applied fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of New England Similar quality tier (#33311 ranked) | ME | 92% | $55,921 | #33311 | Compare |
Kansas Wesleyan University Similar quality tier (#33307 ranked) | KS | 72% | $51,152 | #33307 | Compare |
Monmouth College Similar quality tier (#33306 ranked) | IL | 91% | $51,110 | #33306 | Compare |
Newberry College Similar quality tier (#33304 ranked) | SC | 90% | $48,040 | #33304 | Compare |
Wilmington College Similar quality tier (#33827 ranked) | OH | 92% | $48,491 | #33827 | Compare |
