Paying for College
A Lewis & Clark education is an investment in your future, and we are committed to making your education here as affordable as possible. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources.
The Value of a Lewis & Clark Education
Your experience at Lewis & Clark will open doors and help to define your future path. Our distinct approach to learning prepares you to lead with purpose. In fact, the top career competencies identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers align perfectly with the core values of a liberal arts education: critical thinking, written and verbal communication, teamwork, and problem solving. Plus, we’re so confident that first-year students will graduate in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.
- Our graduates hit the ground running—and so will you. Within six months of completing a degree at Lewis & Clark, 96% of the Class of 2024 were employed, in graduate school, or engaged in service work.
- Our students, our institution, and our alumni are committed to making meaningful change in the world. Lewis & Clark is one of the top producers of Fulbright award winners in the country, and we are frequently named as one of the Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities by the Peace Corps.
- Incredible experiences await you, in and out of the classroom. This year, the Princeton Review listed L&C among the nation’s 390 best colleges and included us on the Green College Honor Roll. Lewis & Clark also received top rankings for most beautiful campus (No. 4), best college newspaper (No. 16), and most politically active students (No. 16).
Connections That Last a Lifetime
At Lewis & Clark, you will build relationships with professors and peers, gain practical experience through internships in Portland and beyond, and create connections among ideas and across disciplines. Our Career Accelerator initiative, backed by a $5 million investment from our Board of Trustees, is focused on making career preparation part of the DNA of our institution. From orientation to graduation, you will have access to the opportunities that will prepare you for a meaningful career, whether through on-campus jobs, skills classes, structured internships, or experiences in your classrooms, labs, and performance spaces.
In addition, we offer something that most other colleges of our size do not: multiple ways to make the most of your future here at L&C through clear and accelerated pathways to professional degrees from our Graduate School of Education and Counseling and Law School!
Hashim Salman BA ’25More about HashimThe financial aid package offered by the college played a significant role in my decision, and Lewis & Clark was among the most generous schools in this regard.
Cleo Lockhart BA ’25More about CleoI remember crying in a shopping mall when I first heard about my financial package and realized that I’d have the opportunity to go here, and I’ve been super grateful for it ever since!
May Rah BA ’28More about MayLewis & Clark’s generous financial aid package was the main reason why I chose to come here. It covered everything from tuition to housing, and thanks to that I can live on campus, feel closer to the community, and focus on my academics.
Cost of Attendance
The number you see—the total cost of tuition, room, board, travel, and personal expenses—is the sticker price, but not the price most students and their families pay out of pocket once financial aid and scholarships are awarded. All admitted students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships starting at $24,000 per year.
Tuition Rates 2025–26
- Tuition and fees: $68,048
- Housing (double occupancy room): $9,210
- Food (14-meal flex plan): $7,048
- Books, transportation, and personal expenses (estimate): $3,652
- Health insurance: $3,812/year; waiver available
Ways to Fund Your Education
A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. We can also help you understand the options that are available for covering the costs that remain after your financial aid has been applied.
Applying for Aid
File the FAFSA on the U.S. Department of Education website, even if you don’t think you will qualify for need-based aid. Our federal school code is 003197. Filing the FAFSA allows us to consider you for many types of financial aid, from both federal and Lewis & Clark funding sources. It doesn’t take long—and it’s completely worth it.
Scholarships and Grants
This type of aid does not need to be repaid when you graduate. We offer a variety of scholarships based on academic merit and financial need, as well as a few performance-based awards in speech and debate and music.
On-Campus Employment
We offer both need-based (Federal Work-Study) and non-need-based awards. A variety of interesting and rewarding work opportunities are available in offices around campus.
Payment Plan
We offer a payment plan that allows you to split each semester’s payment into five monthly installments, for a total of ten payments over the course of the year.
Calculate Your Cost to Attend L&C
Even before you submit your forms, you can get an idea of what it might cost to attend Lewis & Clark by using our net price calculator. This tool helps you estimate what financial aid might be available.