Carleton College vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Carleton College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Reed College 9:1.

Carleton College vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carleton College 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 Carleton College than Reed ($28,047 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 0.4% lower than at Reed College ($17,586 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carleton College (about $458 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Reed than at Carleton College (about $458 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Reed College (59% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 2.5% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($56,846 vs. $55,445).

Carleton College vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carleton College 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 Carleton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carleton College (1510) is 100 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Carleton College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Reed).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 1450/1560; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carleton College 32/34; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carleton College - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Carleton College (3.9).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Carleton College (20.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Carleton College vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carleton College 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).

• Carleton College's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Carleton College earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($16,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($165 vs. $201).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 84%)

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.