[4] The first institution located on Waud's Bluff was Portland University, which was established by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1891.

The university opened its doors to 52 young men on September 5, 1901, with eight Catholic priests from the local archdiocese serving as professors.

[4] Prior to this transition, Marylhurst University had been the only Catholic institution of higher learning to serve the educational needs of Oregon women.

The most popular majors for undergraduates are Nursing, Biology, Marketing & Management, Finance, Elementary Education, Organizational Communication, Psychology, and Spanish.

Among the five AACSB MBA programs in Oregon, Pamplin School of Business has the highest percentage of women, minorities, and international students.

The program is characterized by an emphasis on field experience, and inclusion, with first classroom placements beginning almost immediately.

It received the 2002 Model of Excellence Award from the Association of Independent Colleges for Teacher Education (AILACTE).

PACE students live in community with other PACE students in Draper, Ogden, and Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, and Tri-Cities, Washington; Redding and Red Bluff, and Sacramento, California; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Portland, Oregon.

[23] In 2007 the University of Portland was given a $12 million gift (the largest in UP's history at that time) toward the School of Engineering by Donald and Darlene Shiley of San Diego.

Graduating in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in general engineering, he would later invent a heart valve and various medical devices that have been credited with saving thousands of lives.

A Master of Engineering degree, in collaboration with the Pamplin School of Business Administration, is offered at the graduate level.

[30] Throughout the 20th century many nursing education programs relocated from hospitals to institutions of higher learning; the St. Vincent school became part of this national trend when it joined the University of Portland in 1934[31] and began granting a four-year degree in 1938.

The master's entry program (AEM-UP) enables individuals who possess a non-nursing bachelor's degree to enter nursing at the graduate level.

In collaboration with practice partners, the clinical nurse leader Master of Science degree prepares generalists for leadership at the point of care.

The University of Portland sits on top of Waud's Bluff overlooking the industrialized Swan Island and the Willamette River.

Since 1996, the university has hosted an Army ROTC program which has grown to include over 70 cadets and a cadre of seven faculty and staff.

[36] Offices for the University of Portland Pilot Battalion of the Army ROTC are located in Villa Maria.

The women's team won the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2002 and 2005, led both years by current Canadian international star Christine Sinclair.

Home matches are played at 4,892-seat Merlo Field, part of the Clive Charles Soccer Complex[37] on campus.

The University of Portland's soccer team is one of the oldest college programs in the U.S., going back to 1910, and was played as a club sport almost continually until 1977, when it gained full varsity status.

Other intercollegiate sports at UP include basketball, baseball, volleyball, track and field, tennis, and rowing.

In academics, the Engineering Building was renovated using a $12 million gift for its expansion and improvement from Donald and Darlene Shiley.

[38] At 100 feet, it is the tallest structure on campus, as well as in North Portland, a title that Mehling Hall held previously.

It will feature state of the art strength and cardio training facilities, 3 gymnasiums, a suspended track, a bike shop, classrooms, and an outdoor pursuits office.

Additionally, in June 2014, renovations began on Joe Etzel Baseball field to include improved lighting, fencing, and artificial turf.

The building encompasses 65,616 square feet with 17 classrooms, 35 faculty offices, 12 informal and formal gathering spaces, including 4 conference rooms, and the 146-seat Brian J. Doyle Auditorium.