Reed vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

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

Whitman College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (1,561 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Reed College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Reed College 9:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Reed vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Reed or Whitman 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 Whitman College ($30,953 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 14.6% lower than at Reed College ($15,080 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Whitman College (about $5,300 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Reed than at Whitman College (about $5,300 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $64,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Reed College (94% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 36.9% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($55,445 vs. $40,489).

Reed vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Reed College (1410) is 10 points higher than at Whitman College (1400).
• Incoming Reed students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Whitman College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 1290/1520; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Reed College 30/34; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Reed - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• Whitman College has a higher acceptance rate (38.1%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Reed vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Reed vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Reed and Whitman 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Whitman College graduates ($16,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whitman College graduates ($165 vs. $180).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.