Acceptance Rate
25%
Avg. SAT
1520
75th percentile
“Reed College immerses quirky intellectuals in relentless Portland rain, narrative evaluations, and a self-governed honor code that demands your intellectual best.”
Portland, OR
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
You arrive at Reed, founded in 1910 by Amanda Reed as a living tribute to her late husband Simeon, Oregon's shipping tycoon, in a city then emerging as a Pacific Northwest hub. From its inception, Reed rejected vocational training for pure liberal arts inquiry, attracting students who crave depth over breadth—think the eccentric debater who lives for late-night philosophy seminars, not the resume-padder eyeing Wall Street. You'll thrive here if you're self-motivated and resilient, but falter if you need structure or constant validation; the workload crushes the unprepared. Nestled in southeast Portland's wooded canyon, Reed feels worlds away from the city's hipster breweries and food carts, yet close enough for weekend escapes. Portland's progressive vibe mirrors Reed's activist spirit, but brace for nine months of drizzle that keeps everyone indoors pondering life's big questions.
Photo Gallery
+38
+30
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Reed's classrooms, professors lead seminar-style discussions where you dissect texts or derive theorems with peers who match your intensity, backed by a 9:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures your voice matters. Every senior tackles a year-long thesis, diving deep into linguistics, physics, or comparative literature—fields where Reed punches above its weight, sending more students to PhDs per capita than any other liberal arts college. Research shines through undergrad access to the campus nuclear reactor or stargazing at the on-site observatory. Tradeoffs hit hard: no letter grades mean narrative evaluations that demand honest self-assessment, and the quarter system races through material, leaving little room for coasting or extracurricular fluff.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,346 undergrad • 12 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
59%
Black / African American
1%
Hispanic / Latino
12%
Asian
8%
Other / Multi-racial
20%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Portland, OR
A typical week at Reed blends all-night thesis grinds with impromptu dorm jam sessions, Paideia talent shows where costumed students lip-sync bad pop, and Canyon Day treks to restore the wooded ravine slicing campus. Housing sorts you into quirky residences like the artist haven of Studio A or the communal Griffin House via lottery, fostering tight-knit bonds without Greek life; expect co-ed floors, theme parties, and a student-run pub slinging cheap PBR. The vibe skews lefty-activist with drum circles and protests, laced with a legendary tolerance for weed-fueled philosophizing, but social scenes fragment if you're not into the nerdy undercurrent. Portland's rainy gloom amplifies cabin fever, yet nearby trails and music venues offer outlets for the outdoorsy set.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$14,781
$30K – $48K
$8,893
$48K – $75K
$19,916
$75K – $110K
$30,174
$110K+
$44,544
Apply for Financial Aid
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
88%
4 Years Graduation Rate
62%
6 Years Graduation Rate
73%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$62,927
88% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Reed College and return in the fall. 62% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 73% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
62%
4-5 years
11%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
25%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$64,450
Acceptance
25%
Undergrads
1,346
4-Year Grad Rate
62%
Endowment
$396M
Portland, OR 97202-8199
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