Reed vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

Lafayette College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Reed College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Reed College 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Reed vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Reed or Lafayette College? 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 Lafayette College ($30,953 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 11.1% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,660 vs. $19,866).
• Reed College is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $3,952 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Reed than at Lafayette College (about $3,952 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at Reed College (61% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 24% larger than aid received by Lafayette College students ($55,445 vs. $44,707).

Reed vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Reed or Lafayette College? 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 Lafayette College and Reed.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 20 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Reed students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Lafayette College (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 1290/1520; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 30/34; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Reed - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• Lafayette College has a higher acceptance rate (31.4%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Reed vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Reed vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Reed and Lafayette College? 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $33,800 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($16,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($165 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.