Tour Tuesday: Lewis and Clark College
I try to visit 30–50 college campuses each year, and starting now, I’m going to share more of those experiences here on the blog. These posts will include my personal notes, impressions, and images from each stop - some practical, some purely observational. Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, or just someone who enjoys exploring different college environments, I hope this series gives you a better sense of what these places are really like on the ground!
Lewis & Clark College: Moss, Mountains, and Meaningful Learning
Quick Look
Strong offerings in entrepreneurship, with the Bates Center backing students in venture creation.
Top reputation in environmental law—L&C Law School is known nationally; offers a 3+3 BA/JD dual degree pathway.
~70% of students study abroad, often via programs led by L&C faculty in specific departments
Students are supported by two advisors: one general, one for their major
Curriculum philosophy: ~⅓ major classes, ~⅓ general education, ~⅓ “whatever you want”
Scholarships are substantial: typically $22,000 to $42,000/year, plus department scholarships (speech & debate, music)
No Greek life
Overview
Lewis & Clark is one of those campuses that quietly blends rigor with creativity, where the forests and moss around campus seem to mirror its values: growth, detail, and patience. When you walk between buildings, you’ll see students stopping to note moss types or discussing a field trip in Oregon’s wild spaces. Moss Appreciation Week isn’t a gimmick - it’s a microcosm of how much this school values curiosity.
But don’t let the forest fool you: there’s real work going on here. The pace is thoughtful, but you’ll be pushed to think deeply, explore broadly, and not just study your way to a job, but study your way to a better life.
Location
Set in Portland, Oregon, Lewis & Clark offers access to both natural beauty (forests, rivers, hikes) and city life (arts, nonprofits, environmental orgs). That dual access is a recurring theme here: you’ll often be pulling theories from classes into real problems in Portland or in the Pacific Northwest.
Academics / Major Information
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Through the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship & Leadership, students can minor in entrepreneurial leadership and innovation. The program is grounded in four pillars: mindset, skill sets, experiential opportunities, and networking.
Courses include design thinking, nonprofit management, future technologies, and more.
Students get access to venture networks, mentorship, and resources via the Bates Center.
Data Science Minor
Lewis & Clark offers a data science minor, giving students quantitative and computational tools to complement many majors (e.g. environmental studies, economics).
Law & Environmental Focus
L&C Law School is nationally respected for its environmental law programs and offers a 3+3 BA/JD dual degree, enabling students to compress the time to a JD.
Also, there is a 3+1 BA/MSL dual degree (Accelerated BA + Masters of Studies in Law in Environmental Legal Studies) allowing a BA + MSL in 4 years.
The Law School offers a J.D. with a certificate in Environmental Law and robust clinics, externships, and experiential learning.
The Law School also offers an MSL (Master of Studies) for students who want environmental law knowledge but not necessarily to practice.
Curriculum & Advising
L&C’s philosophy is intentionally balanced: about one-third of your courses are in your major, one-third in general education, and the remaining third you get to choose your own adventures.
Faculty are committed to scheduling flexibility, so if you can’t land a needed course in your final semester then the school will help you find an alternate or even pay for that last term.
Students are assigned two advisors - a general advisor and a major advisor - to help guide academic planning and ensure you don’t get stuck.
Study Abroad
Study abroad isn’t a fringe option here, it’s central. Around 70% of students go abroad at least once. Many programs are curated by L&C faculty, tailored to specific majors or themes, so you don’t just piggyback on generic programs. (Your major may carry an approved partner program.)
Because L&C is well integrated into global networks, students get access to curated, meaningful experiences rather than generic study abroad options.
Housing & Student Life
No Greek life means no sorority/fraternity houses and no Greek social politics to navigate. That’s by design - Lewis & Clark emphasizes a community built around common interests, not legacy membership.
Student life includes strong arts, environmental clubs, discourse groups, and leadership projects. The campus culture is one where deep curiosity is celebrated.
Cost & Scholarships
One of the attractive parts of L&C is their generous scholarship packages:
Typical institutional scholarships run $22,000 to $42,000 per year, depending on merit and department.
Departmental scholarships exist - for example in speech & debate and music.
The school does not require a CSS Profile (which is a relief for many families).
Because L&C believes in supporting students’ growth, the scholarship offers tend to be meaningful - enough that many families say L&C becomes financially competitive with other options.
Final Thoughts: Who Would Thrive at Lewis & Clark
Here’s who I imagine thriving if they chose L&C:
Students who are intellectually curious, who love to wander into multiple interests (moss, ecology, poetry, coding), and want a curriculum that gives them room.
People passionate about environmental law, justice, sustainability, or any path that combines policy + science + ethics.
Those who want entrepreneurial tools along with liberal arts: you’re not boxed into business only, but can use innovative skill sets across fields.
Students who want support and flexibility - two advisors, scheduling help, safety nets for that final semester.
Students who like community over hierarchy - no Greek life, more organic social bonds, more depth than spectacle.
And those eager to go global - 70% of students study abroad, and faculty-led programs make that exposure purposeful and integrated into your major.
