Denison vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

Compare Denison University in Granville, OH with Reed College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Denison University is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,394 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Denison University is located in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Denison University 9:1; Reed College 9:1.

Denison vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Denison 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 Reed College than Denison ($30,953 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 7.1% lower than at Reed College ($16,400 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Denison (about $2,350 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Reed than at Denison University (about $2,350 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Reed College (94% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($55,445 vs. $38,179).

Denison vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Denison 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 Denison.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is the same as at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Reed students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 1320/1490; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Denison University 30/33; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Denison - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at Denison vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Denison vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Denison 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).

• Reed College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Denison University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($16,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($165 vs. $268).
• More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison 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.