Willamette University is a private institution founded in 1842, now enrolling approximately 2,800 students across five distinct colleges. The university operates campuses in Salem - adjacent to the Oregon State Capitol - and Portland, Oregon, positioning it strategically for civic engagement and experiential learning opportunities.
The institution comprises Willamette College, an undergraduate liberal arts college; the Atkinson Graduate School of Management, which offers Oregon's top-ranked MBA programme; the School of Law, claimed to be the Northwest's oldest; the School of Computing and Information Sciences; and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. This structure allows the university to blend liberal arts education with professional programmes across business, law, computing, and creative disciplines, alongside a range of other graduate offerings.
Willamette emphasises an interdisciplinary educational approach, with students drawing on both traditional liberal arts and specialised professional training. The university's location near Oregon's state government facilitates internships and civic participation, enabling students to engage with policy, law, and public service. The institution offers employees comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programmes, and tuition benefits.