Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Forest Grove, Oregon
91.8% Acceptance Rate
Pacific University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.8%Acceptance Rate
3.73Avg GPA
1123Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$69,330Annual Cost
$60,583Grad Salary
26.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.8%
Avg GPA
3.73
Avg SAT
1123
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
990–1240
ACT Middle 50%
17–28
Need-Based Aid
26.7% receive Pell
Pacific University (OR) is a private, liberal arts-based institution with strong professional programs in health and the sciences. Admissions are selective, seeking intellectually curious students who are ready for an intensive, collaborative, and student-centered environment. They value applicants who show high potential for academic engagement.
Pacific University Acceptance Rate
Pacific University (PU) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 91.8%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.28
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Pacific University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Pacific University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 102 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
PU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
November 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
PU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at PU is 3.73. PU is highly selective.
Mostly A's with a few B's will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.93-4.13 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.43 and 3.73, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.
PU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Admissions at PU utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.73, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.33 – 3.52
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.32
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Located in Forest Grove, OR (undergraduate) with graduate/professional programs also based in Hillsboro; undergraduate admission is rolling with an Early Action deadline of November 1; uses the Common Application
- Guaranteed Grad School Admission Program lets incoming freshmen or junior-year undergraduates reserve a seat in Pacific's Optometry, PharmD, PA, Physical Therapy, or Speech-Language Pathology programs, contingent on meeting program-specific GPA/test-score/recommendation criteria - requires an access code requested from admissions after depositing, not automatically provided
- Accelerated pathways compress timelines further: exceptionally qualified students can enter the OD program after only 3 undergraduate years (earning a BS in Visual Science concurrently with OD Year 1); Engineering Science 3:2 and Pharmacy Jump Start programs offer similar compression
- OD program has no minimum GPA requirement but does require the OAT or GRE (no more than 2 years old) and prerequisite science courses must be pre-professional/science-major level with labs - introductory-level courses will not satisfy requirements even with matching titles
- The Rigor Metric: At PU, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at PU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Pacific 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.
Pacific University (PU) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into PU Without SAT or ACT?
Pacific University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Pacific University Average SAT Score: 1123
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pacific University is 1123 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1123 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1123 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1240 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Pacific University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 990, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at PU. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 545 | 490 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 570 | 500 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1123 | 990 | 1240 |
It means that if you have scored less than 990 then you are below most of the admitted students at PU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1240 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Pacific University (PU) with a 1250 SAT?
With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pacific University (PU) are good but the admission staff at PU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Pacific University (PU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at PU is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes Pacific University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 23 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 16 | 27 |
| ACT English | 21 | 16 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 17 | 28 |
Can I get into Pacific University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Pacific University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Pacific University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Pacific University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Pacific University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 28 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for PU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
PU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Apply for Guaranteed Grad School Admission as an Incoming Freshman - Before You've Even Started Undergrad - for Optometry, Pharmacy, PA, PT, or SLP
Pacific University's Guaranteed Grad School Admission Program allows students to apply for a reserved seat in Pacific's Doctor of Optometry, PharmD, Physician Associate, Physical Therapy, or Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs as soon as they commit (deposit) as an incoming freshman or transfer student, using an access code obtained from their admissions counselor - well before ever setting foot in an undergraduate classroom. Because the specific criteria vary by program (for optometry: a 3.2 minimum cumulative GPA, an OAT academic average of 310+ or equivalent GRE/MCAT/DAT score, and "highly recommended" letters with no reservations), a prospective applicant should identify their target professional program before finishing their Common Application and explicitly ask their admissions counselor about the Guaranteed Grad School Admission access code during the enrollment process, since this program is not automatically offered or explained in general undergraduate marketing and must be proactively requested.
Choose an Accelerated 3-Year or Combined-Year Pathway (Vision Science, Engineering 3:2, Pharmacy Jump Start) to Compress Your Timeline to a Terminal Degree
Beyond the standard 4+4 guaranteed admission structure, Pacific offers accelerated pathways where the final year of undergraduate study overlaps with the first year of graduate school - most notably, exceptionally qualified students can be admitted to the College of Optometry after only three years of undergraduate study, earning a Bachelor of Science in Visual Science concurrently with their first year of the OD program, while the Engineering Science 3:2 Program and Pharmacy Jump Start Program offer similarly compressed timelines in their respective fields. Because these accelerated options require a student to plan their entire undergraduate course sequence around the specific overlap requirements from day one (rather than deciding in junior year), applicants interested in optometry, engineering, or pharmacy should raise the specific accelerated pathway by name with their admissions counselor before their first semester begins, since retrofitting an accelerated timeline after general coursework has already been chosen is materially harder.
Contact Graduate Admissions Directly During Freshman Year If Pursuing Optometry, Even Without Guaranteed Admission - Prerequisite Sequencing Errors Are Difficult to Reverse
Pacific's own pre-optometry guidance explicitly recommends that students contact Graduate Admissions early in their undergraduate careers for help preparing for College of Optometry admission, since OD prerequisite coursework (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, plus OAT preparation) must align with a very specific sequence, and required science courses must be pre-professional/science-major level with a lab component - introductory or non-major-track courses will not satisfy prerequisites even if they appear similar on a transcript. Students who wait until junior year to confirm their prerequisite sequence with Graduate Admissions risk discovering a required course was taken in the wrong track or without the required lab component, potentially delaying application by a full year. This proactive-contact strategy applies even to students not using the Guaranteed Grad School Admission Program, since standard OD applicants face the same prerequisite specificity.
Apply Early Action by November 1 for Priority Consideration, Since Undergraduate Admission Runs Rolling With No Fixed Late Deadline
Pacific's undergraduate admission process is rolling with an Early Action deadline of November 1 for the following fall, and because rolling admission by definition allocates decisions and merit consideration progressively as the cycle continues, applying in the Early Action window gives a student the earliest possible look at both admission and Pacific's merit scholarship consideration, which typically draws from a smaller applicant pool early in the cycle. Applicants using the Common Application should treat November 1 as a soft priority deadline even though Pacific has no stated final cutoff, since students planning to pursue the Guaranteed Grad School Admission Program specifically benefit from an early admission decision that allows them to request their program access code and begin the guaranteed-admission application process as soon as possible after depositing.
Expert Insight:
The most common failure is assuming that general undergraduate admission to Pacific automatically informs a student about the Guaranteed Grad School Admission Program - this program requires an access code that must be actively requested from an admissions counselor after depositing, and a student who is unaware of the program can spend their entire undergraduate career without ever applying for a program that could have reserved their spot in optometry, pharmacy, PA, PT, or SLP as early as freshman year. A second failure specific to pre-optometry and pre-health students is enrolling in introductory or non-major-track science courses that superficially match prerequisite course titles but do not satisfy Pacific's requirement that prerequisite science courses be pre-professional/science-major level with a lab component, an error that is often not caught until a formal application review reveals the mismatch.
PU Profile
Full Name
Pacific University (PU)
City
Forest Grove
State
Oregon
ZIP Code
97116
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a PU Degree Worth It?
Getting into PU can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. PU offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at PU is $64,600 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.93%.
How much does a degree from PU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Pacific University is $69,330. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Pacific University is much less than this.
26.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 80.8 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to PU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Pacific University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist PU as your choice in the form.
How much does a PU Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $60,583. An average PU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Pacific 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 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Pacific University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Pacific 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 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at PU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About PU Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $60,583 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $69,330 or more per year, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
26.7% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Pacific University is 91.8% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.73. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.43, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.43, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.33 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.73, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Pacific University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1123 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 990–1240.
The application deadline for Pacific University is November 1 for Early Action applicants. The institution also offers Rolling Admissions, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.