#67 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
Overview
Reed College is a private institution. Reed College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #67. Its tuition and fees are $64,760.
At Reed College, a small liberal arts institution in Portland, Oregon, students won't find a few traditional college staples: Greek organizations, varsity sports or course grades. Instead, students – or Reedies, as they're called – can select from about 100 other student organizations and can compete on intramural and club sports teams. Professors assign letter grades for course work, but students will only be informed of a grade if it is below a C. There is no dean's list or honor roll because the school evaluates students on a pass or no-pass scale. Outside of classes, which tend to be rigorous, there are celebrations throughout each semester to keep students entertained. In the fall, students gather for the Halloween Harvest Ball, among other formal dances, and the campus celebrates the end of classes each spring with the Renn Fayre Festival. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but they are guaranteed a dorm room.
Downtown Portland is about 5 miles away from campus. To enjoy Oregon's outdoors, students can join in on planned Outing Club trips or organize their own. Skiers and snowboarders may want to take advantage of the Reed ski cabin, a lodge in Mount Hood where students, alumni and faculty can stay. The ski cabin is less than 90 minutes from campus by car. Water sports fans can also find surfing and sea kayaking options in the Pacific Ocean about 90 minutes from campus.
Following its tradition of a liberal arts undergraduate education, Reed offers a master's degree in liberal studies as well. Graduate students do not have to specify a track of study and can devise their own broad curriculum as they wish. Undergraduate students may enroll in five-year dual-degree programs, completing a liberal arts degree at Reed in three years and a specialized degree at a cooperating institution in two. Dual-degree options include the B.A./B.S. program with a computer science degree from the University of Washington and a liberal arts degree from Reed, and a B.A./B.S. program with an engineering degree from California Institute of Technology, Columbia University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Reed liberal arts degree. Notable Reed alumni include Janet Fitch, author of "White Oleander," and Mark Worthington, art director for films including "Austin Powers in Goldmember" and "Legally Blonde 2." Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer, also attended Reed but did not graduate.
Reed College is a private institution. Reed College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #67. Its tuition and fees are $64,760.
At Reed College, a small liberal arts institution in Portland, Oregon, students won't find a few traditional college staples: Greek organizations, varsity sports or course grades. Instead, students – or Reedies, as they're called – can select from about 100 other student organizations and can compete on intramural and club sports teams. Professors assign letter grades for course work, but students will only be informed of a grade if it is below a C. There is no dean's list or honor roll because the school evaluates students on a pass or no-pass scale. Outside of classes, which tend to be rigorous, there are celebrations throughout each semester to keep students entertained. In the fall, students gather for the Halloween Harvest Ball, among other formal dances, and the campus celebrates the end of classes each spring with the Renn Fayre Festival. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but they are guaranteed a dorm room.
Downtown Portland is about 5 miles away from campus. To enjoy Oregon's outdoors, students can join in on planned Outing Club trips or organize their own. Skiers and snowboarders may want to take advantage of the Reed ski cabin, a lodge in Mount Hood where students, alumni and faculty can stay. The ski cabin is less than 90 minutes from campus by car. Water sports fans can also find surfing and sea kayaking options in the Pacific Ocean about 90 minutes from campus.
Following its tradition of a liberal arts undergraduate education, Reed offers a master's degree in liberal studies as well. Graduate students do not have to specify a track of study and can devise their own broad curriculum as they wish. Undergraduate students may enroll in five-year dual-degree programs, completing a liberal arts degree at Reed in three years and a specialized degree at a cooperating institution in two. Dual-degree options include the B.A./B.S. program with a computer science degree from the University of Washington and a liberal arts degree from Reed, and a B.A./B.S. program with an engineering degree from California Institute of Technology, Columbia University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Reed liberal arts degree. Notable Reed alumni include Janet Fitch, author of "White Oleander," and Mark Worthington, art director for films including "Austin Powers in Goldmember" and "Legally Blonde 2." Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer, also attended Reed but did not graduate.
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At-a-Glance
Setting
N/A
Tuition & Fees
$64,760
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,548
Acceptance Rate
44%
From the School
An Education Like No Other
One of the most distinctive colleges in the nation, Reed provides a singular example of the liberal arts experience: a structured curriculum with an emphasis on personal inquiry; extensive written and in-person feedback from professors on assignments; and a deeply collaborative academic environment.
In the Classroom
Reed students pursue the bachelor of arts degree in 38 majors, along with 17 minors and two dual-degree programs. The academic experience for all Reedies includes a yearlong humanities course, broad distribution requirements, and a senior thesis. A 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and conference-style classes allow faculty members to truly mentor students and engage with them in individual discussions.
Portland and the Pacific Northwest
Reed is a gateway to the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and a point of entry to the energy and excitement of Portland. Students enjoy the 28-acre wildlife refuge that cuts through the center of campus, visit the city's many food carts and bookstores, and explore the nearby Oregon Coast and the snow-capped Cascade range.
Campus Life
Reedies have the opportunity to take part in over 90 different clubs and organizations and a long list of traditions that range from the celebratory to the downright silly.
The Reed community is guided by the Honor Principle. The commitment to the independence of thought and mutual trust and respect helps to create an environment in which students feel connected, challenged, and fulfilled.
Reed students are culturally diverse and hail from 49 states. In fact, Reedies travel the farthest to attend Reed out of any school in the nation. The student body is also composed of eight percent international students.
Life After Reed
The breadth, depth, and rigor of the curriculum provide excellent preparation for nearly any career. Reed is ranked second in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the life sciences, third in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the arts & humanities, and fourth across all disciplines. Many Reed alumni win major graduate fellowships, found or lead companies and organizations, and earn medical, business, or law degrees.
An Education Like No Other
One of the most distinctive colleges in the nation, Reed provides a singular example of the liberal arts experience: a structured curriculum with an emphasis on personal inquiry; extensive written and in-person feedback from professors on assignments; and a deeply collaborative academic environment.
In the Classroom
Reed students pursue the bachelor of arts degree in 38 majors, along with 17 minors and two dual-degree programs. The academic experience for all Reedies includes a yearlong humanities course, broad distribution requirements, and a senior thesis. A 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and conference-style classes allow faculty members to truly mentor students and engage with them in individual discussions.
Portland and the Pacific Northwest
Reed is a gateway to the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and a point of entry to the energy and excitement of Portland. Students enjoy the 28-acre wildlife refuge that cuts through the center of campus, visit the city's many food carts and bookstores, and explore the nearby Oregon Coast and the snow-capped Cascade range.
Campus Life
Reedies have the opportunity to take part in over 90 different clubs and organizations and a long list of traditions that range from the celebratory to the downright silly.
The Reed community is guided by the Honor Principle. The commitment to the independence of thought and mutual trust and respect helps to create an environment in which students feel connected, challenged, and fulfilled.
Reed students are culturally diverse and hail from 49 states. In fact, Reedies travel the farthest to attend Reed out of any school in the nation. The student body is also composed of eight percent international students.
Life After Reed
The breadth, depth, and rigor of the curriculum provide excellent preparation for nearly any career. Reed is ranked second in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the life sciences, third in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the arts & humanities, and fourth across all disciplines. Many Reed alumni win major graduate fellowships, found or lead companies and organizations, and earn medical, business, or law degrees.
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2024 Rankings
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Admissions
Upcoming Events at Reed College
31
MAY
Campus Tour and Introduction to Reed
Friday, May 31 (9:00 AM) - Friday, August 30 (2:00 PM) Pacific
In-Person17
JUN
Reed in Twenty Minutes
Monday, June 17 (3:00 PM) - (3:20 PM) Pacific
Online24
JUN
Summer Visit Week
Monday, June 24 (9:00 AM) - Friday, June 28 (2:00 PM) Pacific Time
In-Person29
JUL
Oregon Private College Week at Reed
Monday, July 29 (9:00 AM) - Friday, August 2 (2:00 PM) Pacific Time
In-Person
See all upcoming events »
Cost
Tuition & Fees
$64,760
Room & Board
$15,950(2022-23)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
N/A
$33,895
$33,895
Tuition & Fees
$64,760
Room & Board
$15,950(2022-23)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
N/A
*Average cost after aid
Academics
61%
9:1
N/A
* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
The Senior Thesis at Reed
Sponsored
Reed is one of very few undergraduate institutions where every student writes a thesis in their senior year. Undertaken with significant support from a professor, the thesis is an opportunity for students to explore a research question of their own devising. Reed theses represent an incredible range of topics, from the pollutants in wild fire smoke to the music videos of Beyoncé.
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Students
1,548
Graduate Enrollment
18
Total Enrollment
1,566
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students
1,511
Student Diversity
Gender Distribution
Ethnic Diversity
30%
Minority Enrollment
30%
Minority Enrollment
59%
White
11%
Hispanic
10%
Two or more races
9%
International
8%
Asian
1%
Black
1%
Unknown
Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
Student Activities
N/A
Sports Teams
N/A
Fraternities
N/A
Sororities
After College
Graduation Rate
61%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
N/A
Average Debt at Graduation
N/A
$26,225
$26,225
Graduation Rate
61%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)
N/A
Average Debt at Graduation
N/A
Reviews & Ratings
See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings.
Featured User Review
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Best liberal arts college in Pac NW / First Tier nationally The education here is first-rate. It is similar to the NESCAC schools in the east (with similar culture/vibe to Wesleyan and Vassar), and the Claremont McKenna Schools in SoCal, as well as small intellectual places like Swarthmore, Carleton and Oberlin. College counselors seem to profile progressive/active/liberal students into this segment of schools (in general order of selectivity from 4% to 35% admit rate): Brown, Wesleyan, Swarthmore, Colorado College, Scripps, Vassar, Grinnell, Carleton, Oberlin, Reed. If a student wants to be west coast, Reed is a top choice. If a student wants a small liberal arts school, Reed is a top choice. If a student wants Pacific Northwest, there is nowhere better. Reed does not engage in the college rankings (for many years) and they get punished for this. This is a good thing for students that do their diligence, because this and location may make the school slightly less selective based on brand (similar to Oberlin, Grinell, Carleton and other colleges not in the east). Shame on US News for not being more transparent about this in the ranking process. The faculty are impressive, and the campus is a gem. The dorms are better than any other school we toured. Also, take a look at Reed's website to see how the students overachieve in prestigious grants and grad school performance. If you want to put the brag sticker on your SUV you are probably going NESCAC, but if you want to get a world class education Reed is every bit the peer of those schools. It's a fit question for most students.
Reed Parent, Boston MA
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Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.
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