George Fox University is a private Christian university in Newberg, Oregon, founded in 1891 by the Quaker community. Widely recognized for its Christian ethos and academic rigor, George Fox was ranked the #1 Christian college in Oregon by U.S. News & World Report. It enrolls about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students on its main campus and at teaching sites in Portland and Redmond.
Academics
George Fox is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The mission of George Fox University is to know each student personally, academically, and spiritually. The institution lives out its “Be Known” promise by maintaining a 17 to 1 student-faculty ratio. It offers:
- 60+ undergraduate majors and minors that span fields from business and education to engineering and the arts
- 14 master’s and doctoral programs
- 7 adult degree-completion tracks in fields like business, education, healthcare, and ministry
- 7 seminary degrees
Campus Life
Campus life at George Fox University strikes a balance between a close-knit faith-inspired community and a full slate of extracurriculars, all on a picturesque campus.
- Community & Christian Ethos: Every student is part of the “Be Known” promise—where professors, resident assistants (RAs), and staff invest in your personal, academic and spiritual growth. Weekly chapel gatherings, small-group Bible studies, service projects and faith-led conversations are built right into student life
- On-Campus Living: About 56% of students live in college-owned or affiliated housing, with freshmen especially likely to reside on campus (nearly 89% of first-years) across men’s, women’s and suite-style halls. RAs plan regular hall events to foster belonging and support the transition to college life.
- Recreation & Athletics: The Hadlock Student Center is a hub for fitness classes, rock-climbing, and outdoor-adventure gear rentals. If you’re competitive, GFX competes in NCAA Division III sports like soccer, basketball and track; if you just want to play for fun, club and intramural leagues are plentiful (everything from Ultimate Frisbee to basketball).
- Clubs, Arts & Traditions: With 60+ student-led groups—including everything from drama and drone-racing to a literary magazine and international student organizations—the campus calendar is packed. Annual highlights include Welcome Weekend, Bruin Adventure outings, themed dances (’80s, ’90s, winter/spring formals) and “Serve Day” where the whole student body volunteers locally.
- Dining & Social Scene: The centerpiece of campus dining, Canyon Commons is designed to showcase the beautiful forest setting along Hess Creek while serving a wide range of delicious offerings for breakfast, lunch and dinner—including salad bar, grill, and comfort staples. The social scene is low-key: 74% of students report there’s barely a party scene, and most social life revolves around campus-sponsored events and small get-togethers rather than off-campus nightlife.
- Safety & Support: The campus gets an A for safety, with 94% of students feeling extremely secure walking around day or night. Free counseling services, health referrals, and a 24/7 campus-safety office mean help is always within reach.
- Diversity & Inclusion: About 34% of students at George Fox University come from underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds. The Intercultural Resource Center hosts dialogues, cultural celebrations, and leadership training to build a campus where all perspectives are heard and respected.
Admissions
George Fox University has a welcoming admissions process with a 96% acceptance rate, making it accessible to a wide range of students. Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know:
- Average GPA: 3.7 — a mix of A’s and B’s will put you in a strong position.
- SAT/ACT Scores: SAT scores typically range from 1070 to 1330, and ACT scores from 17 to 28.
- Test-Optional: While test scores are considered, they’re not required, so you can choose whether to submit them.
- Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, so you can apply at any time.
- Application Fee: None — applying is free.
You can learn more or start your application on the university’s official admissions page.
Homeschool Students
George Fox welcomes homeschool students! In fact, their admissions process is designed to be flexible and inclusive. Here’s how it works for homeschool applicants:
- Official Transcripts: You’ll need to submit an official high school transcript. For homeschoolers, this can be a transcript created by a parent or educational supervisor, as long as it includes course titles, grades, and a cumulative GPA.
- Alternative Credits: Alternative credits like AP testing, CLEP exams, and IB scores offer you the opportunity to accumulate credit prior to your time at George Fox University.
- No Standardized Tests Required: SAT or ACT scores are optional, so you don’t need to submit them unless you feel they strengthen your application.
- No Essays or References Required: Unless your GPA is below 3.0, in which case an academic reference is recommended.
- Rolling Admissions: You can apply at any time, and there’s no application fee.
George Fox University emphasizes a holistic review, so they will be looking at your academic preparation, character, and fit with their community—not just numbers. You can find all the details on the freshman application page.
