Reed vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Washington University is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Reed College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Reed College 9:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Reed vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Reed or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University than Reed ($24,338 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 10.8% lower than at Reed College ($15,747 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 623.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $59,768 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.6% higher at Reed than at Western Washington University (about $40,643 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at Reed College (93% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 703.3% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($55,445 vs. $6,902).

Reed vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Reed or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and Reed.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Reed College (1410) is 140 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming Reed students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at Western Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 1290/1520; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 30/34; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Reed - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Reed vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Reed vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Reed and Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University's (73%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $800 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $3,413 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($16,000 vs. $19,413).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($165 vs. $200).
• More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 71%)

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.