• <a href="/live/image/gid/668/width/650/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image87387"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/668/width/500/height/240/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/668/width/500/height/240/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/668/width/500/height/240/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 800px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/668/width/800/height/383/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/668/width/800/height/383/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/668/width/800/height/383/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 1200px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/668/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/668/width/1200/height/575/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 1201px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/668/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/668/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/668/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg" alt="On our residential campus, everything you need is right outside your door!" width="1440" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/668/width/1440/height/690/crop/1/87387_EVNT-C-0919-0130.rev.1614276655.jpg 2x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2136"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-full_image_caption collapsable-caption"> On our residential campus, everything you need is right outside your door!</div>

Your Pacific Northwest Home

Where Is Lewis & Clark?

Lewis & Clark is located in the cool, progressive city of Portland, Oregon, in the bountiful Pacific Northwest. We’re just a bit north of the halfway point between the North Pole and the equator, at roughly the same latitude as Lyon, France; Milan, Italy; and Sapporo, Japan. We’re also at the same latitude as Burlington, Vermont; and Minneapolis, Minnesota (but without the subzero temperatures).

Our student body is made up of American students, international students, and students in between (Third Culture Kids), all living and learning together. This means easy and constant exposure to new cultures and beliefs, challenged assumptions, and expanded worldviews. No matter where your passport was issued, we pride ourselves on creating a community that feels like home.

  • Lewis & Clark football players celebrating a touchdown.
    21 

    L&C has 21 varsity sports teams. See the full list!

  • Students smile for the camera at the 2019 International Fair.
    10% 

    of our students are from countries other than the U.S.

  • Professor Ken Clifton leading a safari in Tarangire.
    60% 

    Sixty percent of our undergraduates study overseas as part of their Lewis & Clark education. 

  • TCKs gathering in the International Students and Scholars office.
    125 

    of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids.

  • Professor Freddy Vilches at a round table with 4 other students looking over study materials.
    12:1 

    Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.

  • <blockquote><p><p> I appreciated that L&C is in a place with easy access to the outdoors and a vibrant city, while also feeling like it held its own space. I also loved the flexibility of course selections. I was able to double major, pursue extracurriculars, and study abroad.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19705-ana-sundvall">Ana Sundvall BA ’21</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Boulder, Colorado</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> I chose L&C for the beautiful campus. The history can be felt in the buildings and the engaging landscape.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19827-donna-kerr">Donna Kerr BA ’19</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Hillsboro, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> The environment of a smaller liberal arts college was the best fit for me, allowing for the right opportunities to succeed. I was also excited to have the opportunity to continue my track and field career while also being in a rigorous academic environment. </p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19669-syrah-starnes">Syrah Starnes BA ’20</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Corvallis, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> I wanted a school small enough that I would be able to regularly see familiar faces on walks around campus, but big enough that I would still have opportunities to meet new folks, and L&C does just that!</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18354-mack-mae">Mack Mae BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Ogden, Utah</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lewis & Clark seemed like the perfect place for me: a school serious about academics, a small but passionate community, and not too far from home. Plus, I love how the campus is full of trees!
</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/14603-aubrey-roche">Aubrey Roché BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Beaverton, Oregon</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> When looking into L&C, I felt like almost every single thing was grabbing my attention. The student clubs, the community, the various events and possibilities for integration, the support, and the genuine happiness and satisfaction that was apparent in the students enrolled. </p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17735-kenan-imamovic">Kenan Imamovic BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> I wanted to attend a smaller college that was on the West Coast. I felt like the international community at L&C was stronger than many of my other choices, and I was interested in the liberal arts curriculum. </p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18323-farjad-madataly">Farjad Madataly BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Antananarivo, Madagascar</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> The things that stood out about Lewis & Clark while I was applying were the rigorous academics, various and many clubs and activities, beautiful surroundings, a small campus with a strong community feel.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19820-yoana-stoyanova">Yoana Stoyanova BA ’20</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Sofia, Bulgaria</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I wanted to come to L&C because the campus was so inviting when I visited. I loved how green the campus was, and the small class sizes were really attractive as well.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16644-annabelle-rousseau">Annabelle Rousseau BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Modesto, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> I was drawn to Lewis & Clark’s reputation for good study abroad programs and a global outlook. During a visit to campus, I got the impression that the atmosphere was more collegial than competitive, which I liked, and the students seemed friendly and interesting.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/19948-aidan-bennett">Aidan Bennett BA ’21</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Oakland, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> I decided to come to L&C because I did not find any other school that allowed me to pursue an interdisciplinary education in the same way. </p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/17792-eliana-essman">Eliana Essman BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Carlsbad, California</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When I got accepted, I felt welcomed and that I belong here. The small classes and the opportunities that come from a small, but supportive, community also played a big factor in my decision.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/14559-juan-martin-lopez-melendez">Juan Martín López Meléndez BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">La Piedad, Michoacán, México/Fresno, California/Las Vegas, New Mexico</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> What made me come to Lewis & Clark is how much it felt like home. I immediately fell in love with the campus.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18310-katie-shimaura">Katie Shimaura BA ’24</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Mililani, Hawai‘i</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p> I chose L&C because I had high hopes for my future here and the unique experiences that it would offer me.</p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/18361-marta-ruzi">Marta Ružić BA ’25</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina</span></p></blockquote>
  • <blockquote><p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I was looking for a small liberal arts school that had good student-to-teacher ratios, as well as a breadth of majors to choose from, and L&C fit that description.</span></p></p><p class="quote-author"><a class="quoted-profile_name" href="/live/profiles/16682-helen-guyton">Helen Guyton BA ’23</a><br/><span class="quoted-profile_meta">Cologne, Germany</span></p></blockquote>

Find Your People

At Lewis & Clark, we rally around our shared experience while celebrating and learning from our differences. Our students pride themselves on being individuals, but that does not diminish the feeling of community that you feel on our campus.

You’ll have a chance to both live and study with your classmates, in a close environment that fosters mutual support and understanding. The members of our community represent a wide array of ages, cultures, backgrounds, gender identities, nationalities, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, and beliefs. We embrace them all.

First-generation students, students of color, and allies find a solid community of support and empowerment led by the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement (IME). IME is dedicated to helping historically marginalized and underrepresented students achieve academic success and become critically conscious and inclusive leaders.

Heart of the City

Straddling the line between a big city and a small town, Portland offers attractions and opportunities for almost any interest. Being so close to downtown provides not only boundless entertainment options, but also internship and job opportunities.

Explore Portland

Experience the Arts

Our arts departments offer some of the most robust opportunities available at a small liberal arts college anywhere. All programs are open to majors and nonmajors alike, with over 70 percent of our students participating deeply in the arts during their time here. You’ll find a strong sense of camaraderie and belonging in the fine arts, as all of our departments are infused with a collaborative spirit and focus on community.

The Platteau is a student art center with the goal of fostering a creative space, open to artists and creative thinkers alike. Students can work in the ceramics studio, darkroom, dance studio, and music studio, or hang out in the central space. The Platteau also hosts regular student events such as open mic nights, poetry readings, and the Drag Show.

Arts@LC

Get Involved

College life is definitely not all work and no play. Lewis & Clark’s 110+ student-led clubs and organizations are one of the many ways you can kick back, relax, and have fun. Sure, student clubs and orgs provide opportunities for leadership development, discussion, personal exploration, and intentional learning. But having fun is almost always part of the plan. We have some clubs you’d expect and some you’d never imagine, like Fire Dancing, Prison Abolition, and Cooking With Chemistry.

Student Life

Support When You Need It

Whether you need help with a class paper or someone to talk to, there are many ways to be supported as a student at Lewis & Clark. Successful students are the ones who utilize our resources.

Wellness at Lewis & Clark

Students interacting with faculty in the lab

Academics

Lewis & Clark is a place where to love learning is the expectation, and where intellectual engagement is a point of connection. Your classmates will help you unpack complex ideas, and in doing so, you’ll get to know and trust each other. Your professors are part of your community, too, and they will support you as a student and as a person.

Student athlete competing in a cross country race

Athletics

Our varsity student-athletes are a big, 21-sport family, with room for club sports and intramural athletes, too. Supported by coaches, trainers, and tutors, the athletic community at Lewis & Clark is noteworthy in its strength.

Join Our Community

Ready to immerse yourself in the rich cultural and environmental experiences of the Pacific Northwest region? Embrace the unique opportunities that Lewis & Clark College offers in the heart of the PNW!

Apply Now