Reed vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

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

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Reed College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Reed College 9:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Reed vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Reed or PLU? 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 Pacific Lutheran University than Reed ($22,299 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 26.3% lower than at Reed College ($13,008 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 32.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLU (about $17,096 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at Reed than at Pacific Lutheran University (about $17,096 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than at Reed College (98% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 36.7% larger than aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students ($55,445 vs. $40,573).

Reed vs. PLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Reed College (1410) is 260 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Incoming Reed students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at PLU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 1290/1520; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 30/34; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Reed - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at PLU (3.71).
• PLU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Reed vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Reed vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Reed and PLU? 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 Pacific Lutheran University's (66%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $9,800 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($16,000 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($165 vs. $266).
• More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 74%)

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.