Wheaton College vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wheaton College vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Reed College than Wheaton College ($30,953 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 26.3% lower than at Reed College ($13,010 vs. $17,660).
• Reed College is 52.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $23,804 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.3% higher at Reed than at Wheaton College (about $23,804 more per year; $69,350.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Reed College (98% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 98.1% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($55,445 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Reed Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Reed College (1410) is 40 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Reed students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Reed (24.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Wheaton College vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($165 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Reed students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.