Grinnell vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Grinnell vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell 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 Grinnell ($30,953 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 4.6% lower than at Reed College ($16,842 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grinnell (about $1,244 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Reed than at Grinnell College (about $1,244 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Reed College (94% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 13% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($55,445 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell 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 Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 70 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Grinnell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Reed (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Grinnell vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $2,830 lower median loan debt than Reed graduates ($13,170 vs. $16,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Reed graduates ($136 vs. $165).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.