Oberlin vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oberlin vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oberlin 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 Oberlin ($30,953 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 9.5% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,660 vs. $19,510).
• Reed College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $1,984 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Reed than at Oberlin College (about $1,984 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Reed College (99% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 55% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($55,445 vs. $35,780).

Oberlin vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oberlin 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 Oberlin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 30 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Oberlin 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: Oberlin College 1360/1520; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oberlin College 31/34; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oberlin - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Oberlin (3.67).
• Oberlin has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Oberlin vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Oberlin vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oberlin 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Reed College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $10,579 lower median loan debt than Oberlin graduates ($16,000 vs. $26,579).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oberlin graduates ($165 vs. $274).
• More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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.