Oxy vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA with Reed College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Occidental College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (1,881 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Reed College 9:1.

Oxy vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Oxy ($30,953 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 8.3% lower than at Occidental College ($17,660 vs. $19,252).
• Reed College is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oxy (about $3,076 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at Reed than at Occidental College (about $3,076 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $66,274.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Occidental College than at Reed College (75% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 52.3% larger than aid received by Occidental College students ($55,445 vs. $36,400).

Oxy vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 40 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Oxy 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: Occidental College 1380/1520; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• Oxy has a higher acceptance rate (44.2%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Oxy vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $7,652 lower median loan debt than Oxy graduates ($16,000 vs. $23,652).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oxy graduates ($165 vs. $244).
• More Oxy 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.