Reed College
Reed College is a private nonprofit university in Portland, OR ranked #1352 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of B-, enrolling about 1,407 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 27.2%. Students most often pursue Economics and Psychology.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, 85.8% first-year retention, and 75.9% six-year graduation. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
Families typically invest $39,951, about $22,953 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -75.8%, roughly 161.1 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $38,607. That's about $5,081 below national results. Expect the strongest outcomes for motivated learners who want a competitive yet collaborative community and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
Who is Reed College Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Reed College graduates 75.9% of students within six years and keeps 85.8% of first-year students. Affordability earns a D+ compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Reed College's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $67,020 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,050 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $16,820 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $1,650 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $83,310 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 12.3% of Reed College students receive Pell Grants — below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $19,418 to $53,463 depending on family income. Use Reed College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $28,552/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $53,463/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $38,607
- 10-Year Median Earnings $38,607
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $15,750
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 84.8%
- Employment Rate 77.1%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Reed College graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Reed College vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Reed College's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Reed College's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Reed College graduates earn $38,607 median, the -75.8% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 670-760
- SAT Math 630-750
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 29-34
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 1,407
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 85.8%
- Graduation Rate 75.9%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 9:1
How to Get Into Reed College
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Reed College requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 27.2%, Reed College is moderately selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: Reed College accepts 27.2% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Focus on strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays to stand out. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1300 and 1510 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Reed College undergraduates. Psychology, General, Economics, and Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Stud draw the most students.
- Psychology, General 8.4%
- Economics 7.4%
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Stud 6.5%
- Political Science and Government 6.5%
- Biology, General 6.1%
- Computer and Information Sciences, General 5.8%
See more majors
- Physics 5.8%
- History 5.8%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Economics $53,110
- 2. Psychology, General $32,634
- 3. Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other $30,834
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. English Language and Literature, General $30,743
- 5. Biology, General $25,596
- 6. Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services $25,561
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Economics grads earn $53,110—108% more than Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services ($25,561). Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Reed College. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 26 graduates)
- Economics (Bachelor's Degree, 23 graduates)
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (Bachelor's Degree, 20 graduates)
- Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degree, 20 graduates)
- Biology, General (Bachelor's Degree, 19 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (32 programs)▼
- Psychology, General
- Economics
- Political Science and Government
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
- Biology, General
- Physics
- History
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- English Language and Literature, General
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Religion/Religious Studies
- International Relations and National Security Studies
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Sociology
- Music
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Dance
- Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Area Studies
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
Online Master's Degrees (1 program)▼
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 1,407
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 41.6%
- Female Students 58.4%
- Caucasian 59.8%
- Asian 8.5%
- Hispanic 12.0%
- Black 1.4%
- Pell Grant Recipients 12.3%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Reed College's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Reed College's undergraduate population. The university maintains a roughly balanced gender distribution across its student body.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Reed College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Reed College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: About 12.3% receive Pell Grants, below the national average of 38%, suggesting a wealthier student body or generous institutional aid.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Reed College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Reed College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Reed College offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -75.8% ROI. Ranked #1352 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $39,951 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $38,607 median earnings. With 75.9% graduating within six years and 85.8% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Reed College's Positioning
With a B- grade and #1352 ranking, Reed College competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $39,951 annually, Reed College charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 85.8% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $27,966 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -75.8% ROI and $38,607 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $29,951+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Reed College ranks #1352 of 1971 institutions, with 1719 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 75.9% six-year graduation rate sits 13.4 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 85.8% first-year retention is 9.0 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -75.8% return on investment is 161.1 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $38,607 run about 12% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $39,951 is roughly $20,052 higher than the national median of $19,899.
Helpfulness for Students
- 9:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 85.8% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 77.1% employment rate within three years sits 8.9 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $39,951 is about $20,052 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Pell participation at 12.3% trails the national share by 21.2 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Located in Portland, OR, Reed College operates as a private nonprofit university and receives a B- from EDsmart. It appears at #1352 in EDsmart's national list Grades by category break down as Completion A-, Support A-, Career Outcomes C+, and Affordability D+.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
85.8% of learners come back after year one while 75.9% complete the degree within six years. The reported ROI is -75.8%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $39,951 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $83,310.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $43,359 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $15,750 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 12.3% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Six years in, alumni earn roughly $38,607 at the median. This is roughly 12% below typical U.S. college outcomes.
Employment outcomes report about 77.1% of alumni working within three years.
EDsmart lists the ROI at -75.8%, offering a quick read on value.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
27.2% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Reed College admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Portland, OR 97202-8199
- Website www.reed.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Endowment$696.4M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate16.2%