Hamilton College vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Hamilton College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,031 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Hamilton College vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hamilton 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 Hamilton College than Reed ($28,719 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 0.8% lower than at Reed College ($17,510 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hamilton College (about $390 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Reed than at Hamilton College (about $390 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $68,960.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reed College than at Hamilton College (58% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($55,511 vs. $55,445).

Hamilton College vs. Reed Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 90 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Hamilton College 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: Hamilton College 1450/1550; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hamilton College 33/35; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hamilton College - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Hamilton College (3.87).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Hamilton College vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Hamilton College vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hamilton 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $31,800 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $240 lower median loan debt than Reed graduates ($15,760 vs. $16,000).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Reed graduates ($162 vs. $165).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.