Reed College
#1 Best Biology Colleges in Oregon- Graduation Rate
- 74% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,927 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $33,013 F
- 93% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 25% A
- Admits roughly 25% — highly selective
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.5 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Biology Colleges in Oregon.
Every $1 spent returns $20.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,578,098.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 54% more than the national college median.
-
Inventor rate in the top 25% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
-
Every $1 invested returns $20.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 1.0%
- Top 25%
- Patents
- 13
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 242
- Downstream influence
Why Reed College Matters
Reed College is a private liberal arts college in Portland, OR and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by selective admissions, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,320
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, English & Literature, Psychology
Why students choose Reed College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 25% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1290–1520. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $33,013 a year after grants and scholarships — 93% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,927 ten years after enrolling — 54% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 68% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.75 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just 1,320 students, Reed College in Portland, Oregon, offers an intimate learning environment that suits those who thrive in small, discussion-based classes. Students here are drawn to programs like Social Sciences, Biology, English, Psychology, and Visual & Performing Arts. The school’s selective acceptance rate of 25% means it attracts motivated individuals who value a rigorous academic experience and a tight-knit community.
After graduation, Reed alumni see an impressive average earning of $62,927 within ten years. This reflects the quality of education and the dedication of graduates who often move into meaningful careers. While 15% of students receive Pell Grants, which indicates some level of financial support, the potential for upward mobility remains a crucial consideration for students evaluating their education investment.
When it comes to financials, the net price after aid stands at $33,013, with a median debt of $21,500. This balance suggests that while the school is a significant investment, many students find ways to manage their financial responsibilities effectively. Reed tends to attract those who are self-motivated and passionate about their studies, contributing to a vibrant academic environment where students can explore their interests deeply.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Reed College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Reed College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Portland, Oregon, Reed College sets a competitive bar: about 25% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,437. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 25%
- Retention Rate
- 88%
- SAT Average
- 1437
- SAT Range
- 1290–1520
- ACT Range
- 30–34
- Full-Time Faculty
- 95%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,578
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- Applicants
- 9,023
- Admitted
- 2,779
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Reed College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Reed College is $69,350, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $33,013. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,674 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $69,350
- Out-of-State
- $69,350
- Avg Net Price
- $33,013
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 15%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,674
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,514
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,513
- Family Income $110K+
- $46,711
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Reed College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Reed College earn a median of $62,927, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,607
- 8 Years
- $46,514
- 10 Years
- $62,927
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.34x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (214)
- 62%
- 100% (214)
- 62%
- 100% (214)
- 62%
- 100% (214)
- 62%
How Reed Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Reed College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Reed College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $33,013/year ($132,052 total). Graduates earn $62,927 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,710,150 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,578,098 (20.5× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 74% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $132,052
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,710,150
- Net Return
- $2,578,098
- ROI Multiple
- 20.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $33,013
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Reed College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Reed College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.14%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $121,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.14%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 27.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $121,900
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Reed College produces inventors at an above-average rate (top 25% nationally), with 13 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.96%
- Top 25% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 13
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 242
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,609,392
- Investment Income
- $-36,515,835
Top Programs
The fields Reed College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Social Sciences 19%
- Biology & Biomedical 16%
- English & Literature 8%
- Psychology 8%
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Physical Sciences 6%
- Mathematics & Statistics 5%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Reed College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Reed College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Portland, Oregon, Reed College sets a competitive bar: about 25% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,437. The graduation rate is roughly 74%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Reed College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Reed College is $69,350, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $33,013. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,674 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Reed College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Reed College earn a median of $62,927, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Reed College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Reed College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.14%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $121,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Reed College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Reed College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 17% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Reed College.
- Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, CO · Close peer87% grad $65,222 earn 18% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Pitzer CollegeClaremont, CA · Close peer83% grad $69,512 earn 25% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Whitman CollegeWalla Walla, WA · Close peer81% grad $67,589 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, MN · Close peer89% grad $63,878 earn 29% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, IL · Close peer78% grad $70,871 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- Bryn Mawr CollegeBryn Mawr, PA · Close peer84% grad $75,217 earn 29% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Reed College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Reed College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 17% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note