Willamette University vs Reed College: which has better ROI?
Reed College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $132,052 in 9.1 years versus 11.8 years at Willamette University, on median earnings of $62,927 vs $56,911 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Willamette University | Reed College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,121 | $33,013 |
| Total net cost | $100,484 | $132,052 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,911 | $62,927 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 11.8 yrs | 9.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $70,536 | $159,288 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Willamette University or Reed College?
Willamette University, at $25,121 a year after aid versus $33,013 — a gap of $7,892 a year, or $31,568 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Willamette University or Reed College graduates earn more?
Reed College graduates report a median $62,927 ten years after entry, $6,016 more than the $56,911 at Willamette University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Willamette University or Reed College?
Completers at both borrow a median $21,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Reed College, against 71% at Willamette University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.