About Lewis & Clark

Pursue New Ways of Knowing

Lewis & Clark is a private institution with a public conscience, and a close-knit campus with global reach. Students and faculty throughout all three of our schools—the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and the School of Law—pursue new ways of knowing by combining classic liberal arts learning with forward-thinking collaboration. Our institutional commitment to equity and inclusion efforts, service learning, and sustainability are evident in our policies, classrooms, and student life. Students at Lewis & Clark learn from experts in their fields and graduate ready to take on the world.

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  • The diverse community of international students, study abroad programs, College Outdoors trips, and small class sizes made me want to come to Lewis & Clark.

    Uwella Rubuga BA ’19
    Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    More about Uwella
  • I chose L&C because the liberal arts education was super exciting to me. I wanted room in my schedule to take an art class, or even yoga as my physical education. Studying abroad was also a priority for me.

    Julia Salomone BA ’23
    Parkland, Florida
    More about Julia
  • I was fully convinced to come to L&C after sitting in on a class and experiencing the supportive and collaborative learning environment. 

    Emma Celebrezze BA ’20
    Saint Paul, Minnesota
    More about Emma

Interconnected Learning

As an undergraduate student, you have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of classes and disciplines—29 majors and 33 minors—through our liberal arts education model. Our academics are rigorous and challenging, but you will be supported every step of the way by your advisors, your professors, and your peers. The connections you discover between your classes and hands-on learning opportunities are great preparation for an ever-changing world and a future career where critical thinking and creative problem solving skills are valued. And for those of you who are ready to think about your education long term, we offer accelerated degree pathways and partnerships with our Graduate School of Education and Counseling and School of Law.

Undergraduate Academic Programs Law School Academics Graduate School Academic Departments

  • Top 

    Lewis & Clark earned a spot on Princeton Review’s 2024 “Best Colleges” list.

  • 100% 

    100 percent of the institution’s electricity is sourced from renewable energy.

  • OR 

    Lewis & Clark is #5 on Intelligent’s 2024 “Best Colleges in Oregon” list.

  • 10% 

    of our undergraduate students are from outside the U.S.

  • 96% 

    Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Classes of 2018–2022 were already changing the world through employment (76%), continuing studies (19%), and service work (1%), like the Peace Corps.

Affordable Excellence

Investing in your education is one of the most important decisions you and your family will ever make. Lewis & Clark’s Office of Financial Aid creates solutions to serve undergraduate, graduate, and law students from diverse economic backgrounds. Last year, we awarded more than $74 million in institutional aid. Figuring out how to finance your education can be daunting, but we are here to help every step of the way.

Affording Your Degree

  • Exterior of building surrounded by tall trees and students walking on a path.

    Diverse Career Opportunities

    The remarkable accomplishments of our alumni showcase the wide variety of possibilities that are available after graduation. The critical thinking skills that are at the heart of every liberal arts major prepare our undergraduate students for advanced degrees, ground-breaking careers, and prestigious Fulbright grants and Peace Corps positions. Our graduate students earn advanced degrees with a unique focus on social justice and graduate ready to serve students and clients thanks to extensive hands-on experience in the classroom or a clinical counseling setting. Our law students have the choice between multiple specializations in nationally recognized programs, multiple clinics and other hands-on practical skills options, and are ready for any career they choose thanks to the highest bar passage rate of all Oregon law schools. All of our students have access to career-readiness experience that you will be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

    Your Career Starts at L&C Graduate Career and Licensing Services Law Career Services

  • Students sitting at a table speaking to a business mentor.

    Skill Development

    Hands-on learning is a pillar of all three of our schools’ education models, and a reason why our students are better prepared for careers or future degrees. Our undergraduate students gain real-world experience through internships, by leading an academic symposium, conducting graduate-level collaborative research with faculty, and much more. Our graduate students apply their coursework in a real teaching and counseling environment and gain critical insights that can only be gleaned by working in the field. Our law students learn from experts and network with the robust legal community in Portland, all while acquiring hands-on experience through the L&C Advocacy Center, clinics, externships, and a practice courtroom.

    Internships Graduate Partnerships Experiential Legal Learning

A Voice for Change

Lewis & Clark is deeply committed to matters related to sustainability. Our research and actions extend beyond the classroom into Portland and the wider world. We build on best practices while recognizing the interrelatedness of ecology, economy, and equity. Over the last decade, we’ve made sustainable endowment policies including environmental, social, governance criteria (ESG), fossil fuel divestment strategies, and an institutional net zero investment policy, which has us on track to completely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from our portfolio by 2040.

Sustainability

Diverse Minds With a Shared Vision

As an educational institution committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Lewis & Clark engages in efforts to foster a multi-identity community where all feel supported and a sense of belonging, while being challenged to venture from their comfort zone as they grow and learn.

Equity and Inclusion

Champion Athletics

Lewis & Clark’s 21 varsity sports teams—composed of almost 20 percent of our undergraduate students—compete mainly in the Northwest Conference against eight NCAA Division III institutions. Our outstanding athletic facilities, including newly renovated Huston Sports Complex, mean our student-athletes get the best in the classroom and on the field.

Athletics

Students swimming underwater.

A Global Education

Lewis & Clark’s commitment to creating global citizens has been evident in our unique approach to overseas study since 1962. In fact, at a time when overseas study programs were few and far between—and programs outside Western Europe even less common—Lewis & Clark started its overseas study program by making the bold decision to send students across the Pacific to Japan for a semester of learning and adventure. We have continued to be a leader in overseas study ever since.

Overseas and Off-Campus Programs

Students sitting at tables on a green lawn.

Find Your People

Our diverse student body is made up of American students, international students, and students in between (Third Culture Kids), all learning together by sharing their cultures, beliefs, and worldviews. No matter where your passport was issued, we pride ourselves on creating a community that feels like home.

Your Pacific Northwest Home

Love Where You Live and Study

Our location in Portland, Oregon, provides countless professional opportunities in a vibrant, progressive city with endless networking, entertainment, and cultural resources—just one of the many reasons to earn your degree at Lewis & Clark.

Portland, OR

Upcoming Events

April 27: All Day

2024 Senior Art Exhibition

At the end of each academic year, the Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art hosts the Senior Art Exhibition, the culmination of artwork made by the graduating seniors in the art department at the end of their undergraduate journey at Lewis & Clark College.

until May 5
April 27: 9:00am - 12:00pm

German review session

April 28: All Day

2024 Senior Art Exhibition

At the end of each academic year, the Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art hosts the Senior Art Exhibition, the culmination of artwork made by the graduating seniors in the art department at the end of their undergraduate journey at Lewis & Clark College.

until May 5
April 28: 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Therapy Dogs at Watzek!

Therapy dogs will be at Watzek this Sunday, April 28, from 3 to 5 in the TV Studio (near the IT Service Desk). Take a study break and enjoy some canine company. 

April 28: 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Catalyst Bible Study

Join Christian Pioneer Fellowship for a weekly Sunday bible study and fellowship, centered on spiritual growth and creating community here at Lewis and Clark! 

More events→