Carleton College vs. Reed

Carleton College and Reed College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Carleton College
Reed College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 24.6%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1410.
  • Cheaper after aid: Carleton College. Average net price is $28,047 vs $30,953 at Reed.
  • Graduation: Carleton College 93% vs Reed 80%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carleton College $65,600 vs Reed $47,200 (median).
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Key differences

Carleton College Reed College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Carleton College20.4%
Reed24.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Carleton College1450-1560
Reed1290-1520
Average net price
Carleton College $2,906 less
Carleton College$28,047
Reed$30,953
In-state tuition
Carleton College $458 less
Carleton College$68,892
Reed$69,350
Out-of-state tuition
Carleton College $458 less
Carleton College$68,892
Reed$69,350
Graduation rate
Carleton College +13 pts
Carleton College93%
Reed80%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$18,400
Carleton College$65,600
Reed$47,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Reed 9,431
  • Admitted
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Reed 2,321
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Reed 24.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Reed 13.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Reed 1410
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carleton College 33
  • Reed 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Reed 4.0
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carleton College A
  • Reed A/A+
  • Admissions standards
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Reed Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Carleton College Very High
  • Reed High
  • SAT range
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • Reed 1290-1520
  • ACT range
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Reed 30-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Reed Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Reed
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Reed $69,350
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Reed $69,350
  • Room & board
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Reed $17,660
  • Average net price
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Reed $30,953
  • Average grant aid
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • Reed $55,445
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Reed 58%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Reed 80%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Reed $47,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Reed 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Reed $16,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Carleton College $201
  • Reed $165
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Reed 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Reed
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Foreign Languages (15%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
  • Location
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Reed Portland, OR
  • Setting
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Reed Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Reed 1,358
  • Type
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • Reed Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carleton College #44
  • Reed #77

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Reed College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carleton College is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,358 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Reed College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
  • Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Reed College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Reed College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carleton College are 0.4% lower than at Reed College ($17,586 vs. $17,660).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Reed than at Carleton College (about $458 more per year; $69,350 vs. $68,892).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carleton College than at Reed College (59% vs. 58%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 2.5% larger than aid received by Reed College students ($56,846 vs. $55,445).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Carleton College than at Reed (33 vs. 32, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carleton College and Reed.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Reed average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Carleton College (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 13.1% at Reed.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Carleton College graduates ($16,000 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carleton College graduates ($165 vs. $201).
  • More Carleton College 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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