Non-Profit Private
Accredited ·
Portland, Oregon
49.8% Acceptance Rate
Multnomah University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
49.8%Acceptance Rate
3.25Avg GPA
1135Avg SAT
$41,851Annual Cost
$47,939Grad Salary
47.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
49.8%
Avg GPA
3.25
Avg SAT
1135
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
SAT Middle 50%
1095–1165
Need-Based Aid
47.4% receive Pell
Multnomah University Multnomah University, founded in 1936 in Portland, Oregon, is a private Christian university offering undergraduate and graduate programs in biblical studies, ministry, and liberal arts. The campus provides a Christ-centered education with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. Multnomah is particularly known for its seminary programs and its commitment to training Christian leaders. Campus features include the new Travis-Lovitt Hall and the recently renovated Mitchell Library.
Multnomah takes pride in its evangelical tradition and commitment to biblical higher education. Campus life includes chapel services, mission trips, and student organizations focused on spiritual growth. The university has expanded its online programs while maintaining its residential Christian community. Recent initiatives include the Center for Discipleship and upgraded technology infrastructure. Multnomah's combination of academic programs, spiritual emphasis, and Portland location creates a focused environment for students called to Christian service.
Multnomah University Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 49.8%, Multnomah University rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What MBC Admissions Looks For
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 49.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.25 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.05 – 3.24
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.80
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
MBC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at MBC is 3.25. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.95–3.25 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.45–3.65.MBC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.25 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.05 – 3.24
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.85 – 3.04
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.84
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Multnomah University merged into Jessup University on May 1, 2024, becoming "Multnomah Campus of Jessup University"; in May 2025, Jessup announced the Portland campus itself would close, moving the seminary online and requiring remaining undergraduates to continue elsewhere.
- A teach-out agreement covers "covered students" through April 30, 2027; those who complete their degree in that window receive a Multnomah University diploma processed via Jessup's registrar.
- The only ongoing Multnomah-named academic offering is Multnomah Biblical Seminary, now online through Jessup University.
- As of early 2026, a Multnomah alumni group is publicly disputing Jessup's handling of the merger and the Portland campus's assets - an unresolved, ongoing situation rather than settled history.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at MBC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Multnomah University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Multnomah University (MBC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if MBC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into MBC Without SAT or ACT?
MBC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Multnomah University Average SAT Score: 1135
The average SAT score of admitted students at Multnomah University is 1135 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1135 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1165 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Multnomah University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1095, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at MBC. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1135 | 1095 | 1165 |
Below 1095, you're behind most admitted students; at 1165 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Multnomah University (MBC) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of MBC's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MBC
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
MBC rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds — it's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
This is not a standard Portland undergraduate admissions target anymore
Multnomah University merged into Jessup University on May 1, 2024, becoming "Multnomah Campus of Jessup University." Then, in May 2025, Jessup announced it would close the Portland campus itself - moving Multnomah Biblical Seminary online and requiring remaining undergraduates to continue their education elsewhere. Don't present this as an open, standard undergraduate admissions option in Portland; that pathway no longer exists in the form most search results still describe.
For any already-enrolled "covered student," the relevant deadline is April 30, 2027
Students who were enrolled under the teach-out agreement have until April 30, 2027 to complete their degree; those who do so receive a diploma from Multnomah University, processed through Jessup University's registrar - not a separate Multnomah office. This only applies to students already in the pipeline, not new applicants.
The only continuing Multnomah-named academic option is the online seminary
Multnomah Biblical Seminary continues to operate as an online program through Jessup University. A student specifically interested in graduate biblical or theological study under the Multnomah name should be pointed to this online pathway - not a Portland campus visit or a residential undergraduate program, neither of which is currently being offered under this name.
Treat the campus's future as genuinely unresolved, not settled either way
As of early 2026, a group of Multnomah alumni and former staff ("Multnomah Family Team") is publicly disputing how Jessup handled the merger and the fate of the Portland campus and its assets. Don't present either "the campus is permanently gone" or "alumni will get it back" as settled fact to a family - this is an active, unresolved situation worth checking for updates before advising anyone based on it.
Expert Insight:
Multnomah's own site, Portland Community College's transfer-credit pages, and several college-search aggregators still describe "Multnomah University" or "Multnomah Campus of Jessup University" using language written around the 2024 merger - implying an ongoing Portland branch campus. A family relying on those pages without also checking the 2025 closure announcement could reasonably believe a Portland undergraduate campus is still open when it is not.
MBC Profile
Full Name
Multnomah University (MBC)
City
Portland
State
Oregon
ZIP Code
97220
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Is a MBC Degree Worth It?
MBC offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $65,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.9%.
How much does a degree from MBC Cost?
The sticker price is $41,851/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
47.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 82% take federal loans at MBC — file your FAFSA early and list MBC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a MBC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $47,939 — about 18% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Multnomah University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Multnomah University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | 1133 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Multnomah University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at MBC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About MBC Admissions
Median earnings for Multnomah University graduates sit around $47,939 a year.
Multnomah University costs roughly $41,851 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 47.4% receive a Pell Grant at Multnomah University — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 49.8%, Multnomah University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Multnomah University average a 3.25 GPA.
Multnomah University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.95 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.85, Multnomah University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Multnomah University — aim above 1135, ideally within the 1095–1165 range admitted students typically fall in.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.