One of the most distinctive colleges in the nation, Reed provides a singular example of the liberal arts experience: a structured curriculum with an emphasis on personal inquiry; extensive written and in-person feedback from professors on assignments; and a deeply collaborative academic environment.
Reed students pursue the bachelor of arts degree in 38 majors, along with 17 minors and two dual-degree programs. The curriculum includes a yearlong humanities course, broad distribution requirements, and a senior thesis. A 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and conference-style classes allow faculty members to truly mentor students and engage with them in individual discussions.
The Reed community is guided by the Honor Principle. The commitment to the independence of thought and mutual trust and respect helps to create an environment in which students feel connected, challenged, and fulfilled. Reed students are culturally diverse and hail from 49 states and from 25 countries.
The breadth, depth, and rigor of the curriculum provide excellent preparation for nearly any career. An extraordinary number of Reed graduates go on to graduate school. Reed is ranked second in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the life sciences, third in the nation in the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in the arts & humanities, and fourth across all disciplines. Many Reed alumni win major graduate fellowships, found or lead companies and organizations, and earn medical, business, or law degrees.
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Campus Visits Contact
Senior Assistant Dean of Admission Events
Portland, OR 97202-8199
Experience College Life
Reed Research Reactor
Reed Canyon (a 28-acre watershed in the heart of the campus)
Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery
The student-run Paradox Cafe
The windswept beaches of the Oregon Coast
Powells City of Books
Reed-owned ski cabin on Mt. Hood
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Located at the intersection of several creative Portland neighborhoods, Reed College provides a point of entry to a vibrant metropolis and a gateway to the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest. It is hard to beat this location for your next four years.
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Dates: Year-round
Times: 9am and 2pm
Average Length: 2 hours
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Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
Reed seeks students who demonstrate success in the classroom and engage creatively with their schoolwork, as well as those who build community for others. These activities take many forms, but the core values remain: a desire to take seriously both academic and social life, while saving plenty of room for fun. Students who are committed to academic curiosity and their community will do well at Reed.
In order to remove barriers to higher education, Reed is utilizing a test-blind approach and will not require nor consider testing results from the SAT or ACT in our admission review for those applying to start in the fall of 2025.
Interviews are optional but encouraged. Reed's interviews are conversational rather than evaluative, and can be scheduled either online or in person as part of a visit.
Application Timeline:
Early Decision applicants should apply by November 1 (ED I) or December 20 (ED II).
Early Decision at Reed is binding, which means students who are admitted under ED are making a commitment to attend.
Early Action applications should be submitted by November 1.
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 15. For the fall semester, they should apply by March 1.
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Deadlines
Early Decision — November 1
Early Decision II — December 20
Early Action — November 1
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Academics
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From The School
Academic Programs
Reed offers two dual-degree programs, which allow undergraduates to earn a three-year bachelor's degree from Reed and then earn a degree in engineering or forestry from a cooperating institution in an additional two years. Cooperating institutions include California Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Duke University.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Reed students pursue the bachelor of arts degree in 38 majors, along with 17 minors and two dual-degree programs. A 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, all classes taught by professors rather than by teaching assistants, and small conference-style classes provide a truly immersive learning experience. The curriculum emphasizes both breadth and depth, and the faculty is committed to nurturing collaboration among students.
The academic experience for all Reedies starts with a shared yearlong course: Humanities 110. Hum 110 is an introduction to the liberal arts designed to prepare students to read and write at the college level. Following Hum 110, students progress through a series of academic milestones that culminates in their senior thesis. Every senior produces an independent research project over the course of their final year, working closely with a faculty advisor to generate a substantive, original contribution to scholarship.
Majors Offered
American Studies
Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Anthropology
Art
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Chinese
Comparative Literature
Comparative Race and Ethnicity Studies
Computer Science
Dance
Dance–Theatre
Economics
English
Environmental Studies
French
German
History
History–Literature
International and Comparative Policy Studies
Linguistics
Literature–Theatre
Mathematics
Mathematics–Computer Science
Music
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Religion–Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Religion–Political Science
Russian
Sociology
Spanish
Theatre
Minors Offered
Chinese
Comparative Race and Ethnicity Studies
Dance
Economics
English
Film and Media Studies
French
German
Greek and/or Latin
Music
Russian
Sociology
Spanish
Theatre
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.
Neuroscience.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
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.
Comparative Literature.
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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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.
Theatre Literature, History and Criticism.
Students Say
Unsurprisingly, the faculty-student bond is the foundation of a Reed education, and most classes are conference style, "meaning the students all read the material before the class and come to class to ask questions and discuss with the professor." This interruptible format "pushes us to use our brains and think critically about the readings we have done" and "places responsibility on the individual to do their work." Professors "have such a mastery of their material that they're able to let discussions go and let students explore material on their own," and they will "excitedly jump in the conversation just like a peer and make wonderful co-learners." It's a street that runs both ways, at least in some departments; one student "finds it awesome" that the school invites them to attend lectures by potential professors: "In this way, I have learned a lot about topics related to my major."
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Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $69,040. Room and board is $17,660. The student body fee is $310.
Financial Aid
Reed is one of very few colleges that meets 100% of demonstrated need for all incoming and continuing students. The college's comprehensive aid packages provide the difference between what Reed costs and what families are expected to contribute, allowing students of all economic backgrounds to attend. For the incoming class of 2027, the average financial aid package—including grants, loans, and student work—was $59,300. In a typical financial aid package, the majority of need is met through grant assistance from Reed itself—money that families do not have to pay back to the college.
Additionally, Reed graduates have approximately $10,000 less debt than the national average for all colleges. This means fewer loans, which makes it more feasible for students to pursue a wide variety of post-graduate options.
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Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
Student groups at Reed—organized around interests, values, identities, and activities—may be spontaneous, intellectual, or silly, but they never depend on sororities or fraternities (Reed doesn't have them).
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 student interests. Currently, Reedies gather into over 90 different student groups, including clubs focused on scuba diving, climate justice, and careers in the medical field.
In addition, Instead of NCAA or NAIA competition, students participate in sports on an informal basis. Intramural sports and club sports proliferate in basketball, rugby, rowing, 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.
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Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Located in the progressive, dynamic city of Portland, Oregon, Reed's 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 wildlife and native plants. Century-old Tudor gothic buildings are interspersed with modern, LEED-certified centers and residence halls.
Reed is also a gateway to the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and a point of entry to the energy and excitement of Portland. Campus sits at the intersection of several vibrant neighborhoods. Many students spend their free time visiting the city's food carts, exploring the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, and heading downtown to visit Powell's City of Books, the world's largest independent bookstore.
Beyond the borders of the city, the windswept beaches of the Oregon Coast and the snow-capped mountains of the Cascade Range are both just an hour and a half away. Many students take advantage of the college's proximity to the great outdoors by going on day trips through Reed's outdoor education center, spending a weekend at the Reed-owned ski cabin on Mount Hood, or using Reed's backpacking co-op to stock up on gear for their own adventures.
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 area 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.
Reed's Performing Arts Building is another vital community space that represents the college's commitment to the important role the arts have played throughout 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. All communities on campus have access to full kitchens and ample common spaces for group studying and spontaneous conversation. Reed's newest residence hall, Trillium, opened in 2019 and has earned a LEED Platinum certification.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Reed has partnered with 80 universities and programs in over 30 countries and territories to provide opportunities for off-campus study. Domestic programs include Howard University in Washington, D.C., and Sea Education Association in Massachusetts. In addition, Reed provides study abroad opportunities in Argentina, Australia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Palestine, Peru, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, and the United Kingdom. Students may also arrange independent study plans in consultation with appropriate faculty members.
Campus Life
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Cooperative
Disabled Student
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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: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/