Portland State University vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Portland State University is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (19,951 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Portland State University is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Portland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Portland State University 17:1; Reed College 9:1.

Portland State University vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Portland State University 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 Portland State University than Reed ($10,195 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Portland State University are 22.3% lower than at Reed College ($13,728 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 493.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Portland State University (about $57,671 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $11,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.2% higher at Reed than at Portland State University (about $38,276 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $31,074.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Portland State University than at Reed College (89% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 421.6% larger than aid received by Portland State University students ($55,445 vs. $10,629).

Portland State University vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Portland State University 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 Portland State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Reed College (1410) is 280 points higher than at Portland State University (1130).
• Incoming Reed students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 20 at Portland State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 1000/1250; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Portland State University 17/24; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Portland State University - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Portland State University (3.36).
• Portland State University has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at Portland State University vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Portland State University vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Portland State University 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 Portland State University's (38%).
• Graduates from Portland State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $6,634 lower median loan debt than Portland State University graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,634).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Portland State University graduates ($165 vs. $234).
• More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Portland State University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 55%)

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.