Reed College vs. Smith College

Smith is meaningfully harder to get into. A 3.6-percentage-point gap between 24.6% (Reed) and 21.0% (Smith) reflects real selectivity differences. Reed is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.

Smith is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $5,434 per year, $21,736 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.

Smith is substantially larger with 2,544 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; Smith is in Northampton, Massachusetts. 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.

Smith has a more international student body (13.7% non-resident students vs 8.4%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.

Smith's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (89.0% 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.