Oregon’s two oldest universities, Willamette University and Pacific University, have announced plans to merge, creating what would become the state's largest private higher education institution. The new entity, tentatively named the University of the Northwest, aims to combine the academic strengths of both schools to offer expanded opportunities for students and greater collaboration with regional industries.
The merger, which leadership hopes will receive board approval by early 2026, would unite approximately 6,000 students under a single university structure. The process is expected to take several years, pending federal regulatory approval. Presidents from both institutions emphasized that the move is a strategic one, designed to navigate future challenges in higher education, rather than a response to immediate financial distress.
Key Takeaways
- Willamette University and Pacific University intend to merge into a new entity called the University of the Northwest.
- The combined institution would be Oregon's largest private university with about 6,000 students.
- The merger aims to create seamless pathways from undergraduate liberal arts to graduate professional programs.
- Both universities will maintain their existing campuses and separate NCAA athletic programs.
- The move is described as a forward-thinking strategy, not a solution to financial problems.
A Strategic Vision for Higher Education
The leaders of Willamette and Pacific universities are framing the proposed merger as a proactive step to build a more resilient and comprehensive educational model. The goal is to blend the personalized experience of a small liberal arts college with the extensive resources of a large research university.
Willamette President Steve Thorsett and Pacific President Jenny Coyle stated that the collaboration grew from conversations that began last spring. What started as a discussion about partnership evolved into a full-scale merger plan. “We dream all the time about: what can we better do for our students and how can we find more ways to offer opportunities?” Coyle said in a recent interview.
The new University of the Northwest would operate under a single board of trustees, which will determine the final leadership structure. While operational aspects like alumni databases and software systems may be combined for efficiency, the core identities of the individual colleges are expected to be preserved.
Historical Context
Willamette University, founded in 1842 in Salem, is the oldest university in the Western United States. Pacific University was established in Forest Grove in 1849. Their histories have been intertwined for over a century, including a long-standing athletic rivalry that officials say will continue even after the merger.
Expanded Opportunities for Students and the State
A primary benefit of the merger is the potential for streamlined academic pathways. A student could, for example, complete an undergraduate degree at Willamette's College of Arts & Sciences and then seamlessly transition into a graduate program at Pacific, such as optometry, education, or health sciences.
Thorsett highlighted the potential for creating a “richer intellectual environment” capable of addressing complex state and regional challenges. He explained, “Bringing these intellectual strengths together also gives us some new ways to think about things like systems approaches to health, bringing together the data scientists working on data and health and the health management people and the health professions people.”
By the Numbers
- Combined Enrollment: ~6,000 students
- Willamette's Endowment: $306 million
- Willamette Founding: 1842
- Pacific Founding: 1849
The increased scale of the new university is also expected to open doors for partnerships with major Northwest employers like Intel and Boeing. “One of the challenges of private higher education in Oregon is that we’re a whole bunch of pretty small schools, and it’s really hard to work with large employers and provide the scale that they need,” Thorsett noted. He believes the merged institution will be better positioned to design internship programs and career pathways for students.
Navigating a Challenging Landscape
The decision to merge comes at a difficult time for higher education in the United States. A decline in birth rates during the 2007 Great Recession has resulted in fewer college-age students, a trend often called the "demographic cliff." Furthermore, public perception of the value of a college degree has shifted, with fewer high school graduates choosing to pursue higher education.
“There are a lot of headwinds right now that are pushing against us in higher education. We view this as a really interesting, forward-thinking strategic platform where we can combine our resources and we can navigate change.”
Despite these national trends, both presidents insist the merger is not driven by financial instability. Thorsett stated that Willamette is financially healthy, with a balanced budget and an endowment of $306 million. He acknowledged that the university made about $2 million in budget cuts in 2024 after enrollment was impacted by a problematic federal rollout of the new FAFSA form, but he also noted that enrollment has climbed for five consecutive years.
This merger follows Willamette's successful integration of the Pacific Northwest College of Art in 2021, a process where the art college retained its distinct identity. Leaders hope to apply lessons from that experience to this larger undertaking.
What Comes Next?
With the plan now public, the universities will begin a period of engagement with faculty, students, alumni, and community members to flesh out the details of the merger. The legal process is expected to be lengthy, with final federal approval being the last major hurdle.
Key points about the future structure include:
- Campuses: All existing campuses will remain open, including Willamette in Salem and Portland, and Pacific in Forest Grove and Hillsboro.
- Admissions: Individual colleges within the new university will maintain their own admissions processes.
- Identity: The Willamette and Pacific names will continue to be associated with their respective colleges and campuses. Diplomas will carry the name of the new university but will also specify the college that awarded the degree.
- Athletics: The Willamette Bearcats and the Pacific Boxers will continue to compete as separate teams in the NCAA.
Ben Cannon, executive director of Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission, expressed support for the move. In a statement, he said, “I appreciate the bold approach Willamette and Pacific are taking to meet the moment. We look forward to supporting their work to expand access to higher education for all Oregonians.”
The proposed University of the Northwest represents a significant shift in Oregon's higher education landscape, creating a new model that its leaders hope will provide stability and innovation for decades to come.
