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Oregon Universities Consider Merger to Form Largest Private Institution

12/13/2025

Summary

Story summary

Pacific University and Willamette University in Oregon are exploring a merger to form the University of the Northwest, potentially Oregon's largest private university with over 6,000 students.
The merger could take two years to finalize and would allow students to access a broader range of programs while institutions maintain separate identities.
Open forums will be held for stakeholder feedback, with the aim of establishing the new system by summer 2026.

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Story summary

Pacific University and Willamette University in Oregon are exploring a merger to form the University of the Northwest, potentially Oregon's largest private university with over 6,000 students.
The merger could take two years to finalize and would allow students to access a broader range of programs while institutions maintain separate identities.
Open forums will be held for stakeholder feedback, with the aim of establishing the new system by summer 2026.