Amherst vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Reed College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Amherst College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Reed College 9:1.

Amherst vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or Reed? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Amherst College than Reed ($19,049 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 4% lower than at Amherst College ($17,660 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Reed (about $1,130 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $69,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Amherst than at Reed College (about $1,130 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $69,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at Reed College (59% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 23.7% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($68,591 vs. $55,445).

Amherst vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or Reed? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Reed and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 130 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Reed).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Amherst (3.91).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Amherst vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and Reed? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $34,800 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $3,025 lower median loan debt than Reed graduates ($12,975 vs. $16,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Reed graduates ($134 vs. $165).
• More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.