Reed College is a private liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, renowned for its exceptional academic rigor and intellectual culture. Reed is one of only a handful of liberal arts colleges with a nuclear research reactor, operated entirely by undergraduate students. Every student must complete a yearlong senior thesis, and the college produces one of the highest per-capita rates of future Ph.D. holders in the nation.
Notable Alumni
Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple)•Larry Sanger (co-founder of Wikipedia)•Gary Snyder (Pulitzer Prize-winning poet)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Reed is academically punishing in a way few schools match — the workload is legendary, grades are de-emphasized (you won't see yours unless you ask), and the senior thesis is a rite of passage everyone dreads and treasures. There's no Greek life; social energy flows through quirky traditions, the pool hall, student radio, and Portland itself.
Tudor Gothic brick buildings surrounding a wooded canyon with a natural creek running through the heart of campus give Reed a uniquely enchanting, almost secretive atmosphere. The lush Pacific Northwest vegetation and the canyon's old-growth trees make it unlike any other college campus.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Reed has Community Safety Officers on duty 24/7 who are well-regarded by students. Most incidents are non-violent; elevated numbers partly reflect Reed's rigorous reporting culture.
Reed is located in Eastmoreland, a safe and leafy residential area of southeast Portland. Occasional bike theft and property crime occur, but violent crime is uncommon.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Monday-Friday at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM year-round
Duration: 2 hours (admission counselor info session + student-led campus tour)
Info session covers Reed's academic philosophy, conference-style grading (no GPAs reported to students), and Portland culture. Contact campus.visit@reed.edu for accessibility or scheduling help.
Book a TourCampus is open for self-guided exploration anytime. Three parking lots provide easy access. The 116-acre campus features rolling lawns, winding lanes, and a 28-acre canyon nature preserve.
Tour ResourcesSeptember through early November and April through June offer the best weather and campus energy. Portland's famous rain dominates November-March but campus life stays vibrant. Avoid winter break (mid-Dec to mid-Jan) and summer when fewer students are around.
Free parking on campus -- no permit required. Three lots: east (off Woodstock Blvd), west (28th Ave), north (Steele St). PDX airport is 12 miles away (20 min drive). TriMet buses #10, #19, and #75 stop at Reed; MAX Orange Line Bybee Blvd station is about 1 mile from campus.
Location
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