Intellectual. Curious. Passionate. This constellation of features only begins to describe the Reed College community.
One of the most distinctive colleges in the nation, Reed attracts burgeoning scholars ready to be immersed in an academic environment. Reedies thrive on a mix of classical study, critical analysis, and guided inquiry that rewards creativity, independence, and reflection. Classes are small, faculty members are highly accessible, and students adhere to an honor principle both inside and outside the classroom.
Reed students hail from 48 states in the nation and Reedies travel the farthest to attend Reed out of any school in the nation. The student body is also composed of 11 percent international students. Reed is ranked number one in the nation in the percentage of STEM majors who go on to earn PhDs in STEM fields, second among U.S. liberal arts colleges in the percentage of graduates going on to earn doctoral degrees, and fourth among all institutions of higher education. The breadth, depth, and rigor of the curriculum provide excellent preparation for nearly any career. Many Reed alumni found or lead companies and organizations, earn medical or law degrees, write books or create works of art, and work to make life on the planet better for all.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Assistant Director of Campus Visits
Portland, OR 97202-8199
Experience College Life
Reed Research Reactor
Reed Canyon/watershed
Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery
Oregon beaches
Powell's Books
Mt. Hood/Ski Cabin
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Campus Tours
Dates: Year-round
Times:
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Faculty and Coach Visits
Class Visits
Overnight Dorm Stays
Transportation
Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
Reed seeks students who demonstrate a commitment to learning and to the ideals embodied by a rigorous and stimulating liberal arts education. First-year and transfer applications are welcome to apply. The ideal incoming class is diverse in its range of talents, interests, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and perspectives. Students share a common passion for academic inquiry. Successful applicants have pursued a rigorous secondary school curriculum that includes honors and advanced courses. Reed recommends that students take four or five core academic courses per year, which typically includes four years of English, at least three years of a foreign or classical language, three to four years of mathematics, three to four years of science, and three to four years of history or social studies. Because secondary school curricula vary widely in quality and content, Reed sets no fixed requirements in this area. The admission committee sets no ?cutoff points'' for high school grades or college grades (for transfer students). Reed is utilizing a test blind approach and will not require nor use testing results from the SAT or ACT in our admission review for the fall 2021 and fall 2022 cycles. Reed seeks candidates who demonstrate excellence of character, motivation, intellectual curiosity, individual responsibility, and social consciousness. The admission committee recognizes the importance of creating a diverse community in which individual differences contribute to the vitality of the campus and enhance learning opportunities for students. Reed recommends a personal interview but an interview is not required. Early Decision applicants should apply by November 15 (ED 1) or December 20 (ED 2). Early Decision at Reed is binding, which means students who are admitted under Early Decision are expected to matriculate. Early Action applications should arrive at Reed by November 15. The deadline for regular first-year admission applications is January 15. Transfer candidates seeking admission for the spring semester should apply no later than November 1, and for the fall semester, March 1.
COVID 19 RESPONSE
Reed has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic through several guiding principles: sustaining the health and well-being of the community; providing support and resources to all individuals; and safeguarding Reed's academic program.
Supported by a sound COVID-19 Prevention & Response Plan, a COVID-19 Task Force has implemented training, twice a week testing, and health monitoring in accordance with federal and state guidelines. The college also retained an epidemiologist, focused resources on the well-being and livelihood of the community, and maintained steady communication with constituents through email and robust web resources.
Due to a great deal of dedication and care from all students, faculty, and staff, Reed is thriving."
Overview
SAT & ACT Test Scores
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 15
Early Decision II — December 20
Early Action — November 15
Regular — January 15
Other Admission Factors
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Application Essay
Selectivity Rating
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Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
The curriculum at Reed is both demanding and wide-ranging. Through required studies, Reed students receive a solid grounding in the liberal arts and sciences.
All first-year students must complete Humanities 110, which introduces students to academic life at Reed and provides rigorous instruction in research and writing. Distribution requirements set a substantial portion of the curriculum for the first two years at Reed. Students must complete courses in each of the three major divisions of the college. Beyond Humanities 110, no specific courses are required; students are free to pursue their interests.
Reed juniors take a comprehensive qualifying exam in their major to allow faculty members evaluate and assist in the student's readiness for their senior thesis project. The required senior thesis is the capstone experience of a Reed education. Every senior produces an original independent research project over the course of their final year.
Reed strongly believes that learning should be undertaken for its own sake, not for the sake of letter grades. Accordingly, students do not receive grade reports unless they wish to. Letter grades for all courses taken are included on a student's transcript, but in general progress is gauged through professors' written evaluations of work and one-on-one meetings with faculty. Most prefer this system, which greatly reduces competition among students and allows them to focus on the content of their academic work.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Reed confers the bachelor of arts degree in 40 traditional academic departments and interdisciplinary combinations across a wide selection of fields. Approval of an interdisciplinary program (linking two or more disciplines) is reviewed by the student's adviser and the relevant departments.
Reed offers a number of 3-2 (dual degree) programs, which allow undergraduates to earn a three-year bachelor's degree from Reed, then earn a degree in engineering, forestry, or visual arts from a cooperating institution (Caltech, Columbia, Duke, RPI, and Pacific Northwest College of Art) in two additional years.
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
American/United States Studies/Civilization.
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Molecular Biology.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Creative Writing.
English Language and Literature, General.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Chinese Language and Literature.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
French Language and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Linguistics.
Russian Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
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HISTORY.
History, General.
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LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
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NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Studies.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Physics, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology.
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art/Art Studies, General.
Dance, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Music, General.
Students Say
Degrees
Master's
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Academic Rating
Careers
Graduation Rates
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Students Say
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Tuition for the 2020–21 academic year is $60,310. Room and board is $14,980. The student body fee is $310.
Financial Aid
Reed College meets 100% of the demonstrated need for incoming and continuing students. The college maintains a need-based assistance program that allows students of all economic backgrounds to attend. For the incoming class of 2024, the average financial aid package, including grants, loans, and work opportunities, was approximately $45,945. Reed students' average graduating loan debt for all four years is $21,081––well below the national average. The college is the primary source of grant money for its students. Reed also administers federal sculptor grants and a number of other awards. Campus employment and work-study programs also figure into many aid packages. Over half of Reed undergraduates receive financial aid.
Dates
Required Forms
FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent
Financial Aid Statistics
Expenses per Academic Year
Available Aid
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Financial Aid Rating
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Reed maintains inclusivity in all organizations and activities, so the college has no fraternities or sororities and no NCAA or NAIA athletic teams (more about sports below). All campus organizations are student-created and student-run. Student organizations must lobby the Student Senate for funding annually, after which the Senate oversees a vote in which the entire student body decides what organizations should be funded. Thus, the number and nature of campus organizations at Reed changes every year to meet current student interests. Instead of NCAA or NAIA competition, students participate in sports on an informal basis. Intramural sports and club sports proliferate in basketball, fencing, rugby, sailing, soccer, squash and ultimate Frisbee. A three-semester physical education requirement underscores the importance of physical fitness and the balance of a healthy mind and body.
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Located at the intersection of several vibrant, creative Portland neighborhoods, Reed provides a point of entry to the energy and excitement of the city and a gateway to the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest. Downtown Portland, widely cited as one of the nation's most livable urban centers, boasts a wealth of diverse cultural, entertainment, shopping, and dining opportunities. Students spend free time visiting the city's food carts, exploring the stacks at Powell's City of Books, the world's largest independent bookstore, and hiking in Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the United States. The Oregon Coast is 90 minutes to the west and Mt. Hood, where Reed has its own ski cabin, is 90 minutes to the east.
The campus encompasses 116-acres of rolling lawns and winding paths, a century of distinct periods of architectural design, over 2,000 trees representing more than 125 species, and a 28-acre watershed that is home to a growing population of native wildlife and plants. Century-old brick Tudor gothic buildings are interspersed with modern, LEED-certified centers and residence halls. The library, classrooms, and laboratories resonate with the history of decades of inquiry and discovery, supported with modern technology.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
The social center of the college is the Gray Campus Center. It includes a commons building, student union, kitchen, dining room, private meeting rooms, student activities offices, bookstore, and mail services.
At the physical center of campus is the canyon, a beautiful wooded upland surrounding a spring-fed lake and emergent marsh. A walking trail around the lake provides numerous opportunities to observe migratory birds and other woodland wildlife. The Collegebuilt a fish passageway that creates a link from the upper Reed Lake area to the Crystal Springs stream below.
Reed's Performing Arts Building represents a major step forward in the College's commitment to the important role the arts have played throughout Reed's first 100 years. For the first time in Reed's history, the departments of music, dance, and theatre are housed in one building that includes rehearsal and performance space, scene and costume studios, collaborative spaces, a multimedia lab, and offices.
Housing at Reed includes traditional residence halls, as well as co-ops and language houses. Reed's newest residence hall, Trillium, opened in 2019 and has earned a LEED Platinum certification.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Reed undergraduates may participate in a number of domestic exchange and study abroad opportunities. Domestic programs include Howard University in Washington, D.C.; Sarah Lawrence College in New York; and Sea Education Association in Massachusetts. In addition, Reed provides study abroad opportunities in Argentina, Australia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Taiwan, Turks and Caicos, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Students may also arrange independent study plans in consultation with appropriate faculty members.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Cooperative
Disabled Student
Dorms Female
Wellness Housing
Students Say
Special Needs Admissions
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Student Services
Sustainability
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/security