Colby College vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Colby College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Colby College vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby 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 Colby College than Reed ($16,219 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 1.3% lower than at Colby College ($17,660 vs. $17,890).
• Colby College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Reed (about $250 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $69,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Colby College than at Reed College (about $250 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $69,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reed College than at Colby College (58% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($69,201 vs. $55,445).

Colby College vs. Reed Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 100 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Colby 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: Colby College 1460/1550; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Colby College vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $26,200 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $3,345 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($16,000 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($165 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.