Head-to-head comparison
Reed College vs. Skidmore College
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Reed or Skidmore harder to get into?
Skidmore is harder to get into than Reed. Skidmore's 21.1% acceptance rate is lower than Reed's 24.6%.
Which is cheaper, Reed or Skidmore?
Skidmore costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Skidmore's average net price is $32,297 vs $33,013 at Reed.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Skidmore graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $62,927 at Reed and $69,363 at Skidmore.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Reed | Skidmore |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 24.6% | 21.1% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1290–1520 | 1340–1480 |
| ACT mid-50% | 30–34 | 31–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $86,376 | $85,270 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $33,013 | $32,297 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 1,320 | 2,694 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 71.5% | 82.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $62,927 | $69,363 |
| Setting | Portland, OR | Saratoga Springs, NY |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Skidmore is meaningfully harder to get into. A 3.6-percentage-point gap between 24.6% (Reed) and 21.1% (Skidmore) reflects real selectivity differences. Reed is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Reed draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1520 vs 1480 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.
Skidmore is substantially larger with 2,694 undergrads vs 1,320 at Reed. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Reed is in Portland, OR; Skidmore is in Saratoga Springs, NY. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Skidmore's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (82.6% vs 71.5% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Reed is 58.6% women, 8.4% international, and 8.1% Asian-American. Skidmore is 59.9% women, 7.4% international, and 5.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Reed | Skidmore |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 58.6% | 59.9% |
| International | 8.4% | 7.4% |
| White | 58.3% | 64.3% |
| Asian | 8.1% | 5.9% |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.5% |
| Black | 1.7% | 4.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Reed vs. Skidmore?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Reed if
- Your odds are realistic at Reed (slightly easier admit)
- the senior thesis and Hum 110
Pick Skidmore if
- Net price matters: Skidmore costs $716 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($69,363 vs $62,927)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Saratoga Springs campus
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Reed College
24.6% accept · Portland, OR
Full profile
Skidmore College
21.1% accept · Saratoga Springs, NY
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.