Peter's Hidden Gem Series #11: Linfield University
FACTS ABOUT LINFIELD UNIVERSITY (OR)
Linfield University is a private liberal arts college located in McMinnville, Oregon, with an additional nursing campus in Portland, Oregon. They operate on a 4-1-4 calendar. Their January Term (they refer to it as Jan Term) is an optional 4 week accelerated term throughout January. Many students use this month to take a single intensive course on campus, do a brief internship, or take advantage of Linfield's subsidized travel programs to study abroad.
Linfield University has approximately 1,550 total undergraduate students, with 1,000 of them living as residential students on campus. Their 189-acre main residential campus is in McMinnville, Oregon, a small town of 35,000 residents, in the heart of the Willamette Valley (wine country!) They are located about an hour from Portland and about 40 minutes from Salem. There are several other colleges nearby, including Pacific University, George Fox University, and Willamette University.
Linfield University offers 55 undergraduate majors and approximately 48 minors. Their most popular majors are Nursing, Business, Exercise Science, Psychology, Sport Management, Finance, Biology, Accounting, Biochemistry, and Elementary Education.
The acceptance rate at Susquehanna University is 88%. They consider a wide range of students (C+ to A+).
2026-2027 Fees:
Expense Category Cost Per Semester Cost Per Year
Tuition $26,590 $53,180
Housing (Double Room) $4,280 $8,560
Food (Orange Dining Plan) $3,520 $7,040
Misc Student Fees $445 $890
Total Direct Sticker Price $34,835 $69,670
However…
After merit scholarships (that average over $33K), most families (even families that do not qualify for need-based assistance) pay less than $34K without loans. In fact, including students who receive need-based aid, the average amount that students pay is less than $27K. This is a very financially stable college (Forbes gives them a solid B for financial strength). Their endowment is over $128 million.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS:
SPORTS ECONOMICS
From their website: “Economics, or the study of how society and individuals allocate scarce resources, is central to the process of all decision-making. As a Linfield sports economics major, you will build on a foundation of microeconomic and macroeconomic principles to study real-world topics like the business of sports and the changing methodologies of economic thought.
“As a sports economics major at Linfield, you might take a course called Economics of Sports, which is the economic analysis of professional and amateur sports, industry market structures, and labor markets, including the role of discrimination. You also might take a course called Behavioral Economics, in which you examine how individuals make decisions in situations like gambling, planning when to study, and donating to charity. You will also likely take a course called Topics in Sports Economics, which is an economic analysis of specific sports and events, product and resource markets, and the impact of institutional structure on economic behavior and outcomes of sporting events.”
WINE STUDIES
From their website: “Discover new career opportunities in the wine industry. A degree in wine studies opens doors to a wide range of exciting career opportunities across the wine industry. Whether your passion lies in business, winemaking, marketing, or hospitality, the industry offers numerous rewarding paths to explore.
“At Linfield University, we provide a unique educational experience as the only private liberal arts university in the nation offering a major, minor, and master’s degree in wine within our School of Business. Our comprehensive curriculum equips students with the essential knowledge and skills needed for success in the global wine industry—blending business acumen with a deep understanding of wine production, culture, and economic significance. Through hands-on learning, students gain real-world experience in wine business and management while exploring the industry’s impact both locally and internationally.
“By harnessing the strength of our world-renowned wine region, we are cultivating the next generation of industry leaders. Our holistic, immersive approach fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, empowering students to shape the future of the global wine industry with confidence and expertise.
“Discover how Linfield’s wine degree programs at The Center for Wine Education can help turn your passion into a profession.”
Website: https://www.linfield.edu/index.html
Link to their virtual tour information:
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