Reed College is a private institution. Its tuition/fees are $58,440
At Reed College, a small liberal arts institution in Portland, Oregon, learners won’t find a few traditional college staples: Greek organizations, varsity sports or course grades. Instead, learners – or Reedies, as they’re called – can select from about 100 other student organizations and can compete on intramural and club sports teams. Professors assign letter grades for course work, but learners will only be informed of a grade if it is below a C. There is no dean’s list or honor roll because the school evaluates learners on a pass or no-pass scale. Outside of classes, which tend to be rigorous, there are celebrations throughout each semester to keep learners entertained. In the fall, learners gather for the Halloween Harvest Ball, among other formal dances, and the campus celebrates the end of classes each spring with the Renn Fayre Festival. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but they are guaranteed a dorm room.

Downtown Portland is about 5 miles away from campus. To enjoy Oregon’s outdoors, learners can join in on planned Outing Club trips or organize their own. Skiers and snowboarders may want to take advantage of the Reed ski cabin, a lodge in Mount Hood where learners, alumni and faculty can stay. The ski cabin is less than 90 minutes from campus by car. Water sports fans can also find surfing and sea kayaking options in the Pacific Ocean about 90 minutes from campus.

Following its tradition of a liberal arts undergraduate education, Reed offers a master’s degree in liberal studies as well. Graduate learners do not have to specify a track of study and can devise their own broad curriculum as they wish. Undergraduate learners may enroll in five-year dual-degree programs, completing a liberal arts degree at Reed in three years and a specialized degree at a cooperating institution in two. Dual-degree options include the B.A./B.S. program with a computer science degree from the University of Washington and a liberal arts degree from Reed, and a B.A./B.S. program with an engineering degree from California Institute of Technology, Columbia University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Reed liberal arts degree. Notable Reed alumni include Janet Fitch, author of “White Oleander,” and Mark Worthington, art director for films including “Austin Powers in Goldmember” and “Legally Blonde 2.” Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer, also attended Reed but did not graduate.