Vassar vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Vassar College 7:1; Reed College 9:1.

Vassar vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vassar 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 Vassar College than Reed ($29,981 vs. $30,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 3.2% lower than at Vassar College ($17,660 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Reed (about $1,680 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $69,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Vassar than at Reed College (about $1,680 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $69,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reed College than at Vassar College (58% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($57,443 vs. $55,445).

Vassar vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vassar 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 Vassar.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 90 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Reed).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 1450/1550; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Vassar College 33/35; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vassar - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Vassar vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Vassar vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vassar 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $220 lower median loan debt than Reed graduates ($15,780 vs. $16,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Reed graduates ($163 vs. $165).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.