The University of Portland, in Portland, Oregon, is a Catholic university of 3500 undergraduates on 150 acres, minutes from downtown Portland. As part of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the university seeks to educate the hearts and minds of students so that the might go out and inspire, lead, and improve the world. There are 5 colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, and Nursing & Health Innovations. All programs are direct-entry, and for nursing, probably its best known program, a year of high school chemistry is required, and students must achieve a B-plus in all science classes to stay in the program.

The core curriculum is centered around 6 Habits of Heart and Mind which will allow students to succeed in work and life.The 6 habits are: Literacy Dialogue and Expression, Religion, Faith and Ethics, Aesthetic Inquiry, Imagination and the Creative Process, Scientific and Quantitative Literacy and Problem Solving, Commitment to Diversity Inclusion and the Common Good, and Global and Historical Consciousness.

There's a 2-year housing requirement although on-campus housing is guaranteed for 4 years. All dorms are single-sex, with limited hours for visitors - our tour guide thought it was10pm on weeknights, and midnight on weekends. The campus is surrounded by water on 3 sides, and the other side abuts a neighborhood of student rentals which can be more affordable than on-campus housing.

With 74% of students from outside Oregon, the University of Portland is clearly a great option for any student looking for a liberal arts college in the Catholic tradition.