Reed Admission Requirements
- 9/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Portland, OR
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Reed Admission Overview
Reed admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Oregon. Last year Reed admitted 24.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (A/A+) and SAT 1290-1520 / ACT 30-34. Reed is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Reed is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Reed Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very High
Admission difficulty for Reed College
Acceptance Rate
The Reed acceptance rate is 24.6%. Last year, only 2,321 of 9,431 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Oregon and the 90th lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Reed and can you get accepted?
Reed is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
Reed College typically attracts "A/A+" average high school students with an average GPA around 4.0. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Reed GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
4.0Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A/A+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 4.0
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Reed typically have around a 4.0 GPA (A/A+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 4.0 average does not by itself determine admission. Reed is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
54% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #1 in Oregon for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Reed SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1290-1520Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
52%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 680
- Math 610
- Composite 1290
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 750
- Math 770
- Composite 1520
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Reed typically score around a 1410 SAT (middle 50% 1290–1520) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 96th percentile nationally. Reed ranks #1 in the state of Oregon and #100 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1290 to 1520
Matching last year's 1290–1520 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
Reed is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1410 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Reed ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
30-34Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
21%25th Percentile Scores
- English 32
- Math 27
- Composite 30
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 34
- Composite 34
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Reed typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 30–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Reed places #1 among colleges in Oregon and #82 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 30 to 34
Landing in last year's 30–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
You may apply to Reed without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
51% of Reed College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Reed chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Reed College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Reed College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Reed is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 24.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 4.0 GPA (about an A/A+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1290-1520); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Reed College often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=209922.
GPA calculator: Reed College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026