Alumni Careers & Outcomes

With a Reed education to build on, the possibilities are exciting, meaningful, and impactful:

Develop schematics for new types of power grid batteries.
Found a nonprofit that teaches filmmaking and storytelling skills to houseless youth.
Create maps to help fight the effects of climate change in redlined neighborhoods.

With our strong emphasis on interdisciplinary exploration and hands-on research, Reed College prepares you for whatever path you choose.

The potential career paths from a Reed education speak volumes. Our alumni gain admission to distinguished graduate programs, receive prestigious fellowships, and make remarkable contributions in their fields. Join the Reed community and chart your extraordinary journey toward a future where you can make a lasting impact.

Paths After Graduation

Reed College is proud to prepare students for a wide range of successful paths after graduation. Within six months of graduation, 90% of 2022 Reed graduates secured employment, fellowships, or volunteer positions or enrolled in continuing education programs. Specifically, 71% of Reed graduates began work or volunteer experiences, and 19% pursued advanced degrees or specialized programs.

We gathered these results through our comprehensive First Destination survey, which affirmed the tangible value and impact of a Reed education. On their way, many students and alumni seek guidance from the Center for Life Beyond Reed, which helps you clarify your purpose, hone your skills, develop your community, and gain experience through opportunities. The Center for Life Beyond Reed also helps with every step of the graduate school application process—from exploring options to submitting applications.

Ready for Research

Reed alum Ipsita Krishnamurthy ’20 attributes her career in research to the invaluable time spent in labs, where she worked closely with faculty and honed her skills.

A Stepping Stone to Advanced Degrees

Reed cultivates the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary for success in advanced academic pursuits through our emphasis on research, conference-style learning, and close relationships with faculty. Our exceptional track record in preparing students for advanced degrees is a testament to the unique features of a Reed education.

Reed is ranked*

2nd in the percentage of graduates who earned doctorates in the social sciences;
3rd in the percentage of graduates who earned doctorates in the humanities;
4th in the percentage of graduates who earned doctorates in the physical sciences;
4th in the percentage of graduates who earned doctorates in all disciplines.

*Data from National Science Foundation and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for the years 2009-2018.

Our Alumni Make an Impact

Reed College inspires students to positively change the world around them. From breaking cultural stereotypes to combating climate change, our alumni embody the transformative power of a Reed education.

Facts about Reed College Graduates

Occupational Distribution of Alumni

Explore the industries where our alumni have made their mark, based on the comprehensive alumni database (last updated 2022).*

Science & Engineering	21%
Business	17%
Education	12%
Computer Science & Mathematics	9%
Communications	7%
Health Care	4%

*Does not include unknown employers (~1%)

Top Employers of Reed College Graduates

Working for more than 5,573 employers, our graduates succeed in diverse industries.

The 10 most frequent current employers for Reed alumni:

Google
Kaiser Permanente
Microsoft Corporation
Portland Public Schools
Intel Corporation
U.S. Department of State
Apple Inc.
City of Portland
Nike, Inc.

Many of our graduates also work for institutes of higher education:

Oregon Health & Science University
Reed College
University of Washington
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Francisco
Stanford University
Columbia University

Additionally, more than 2,529 Reed alumni have embarked on entrepreneurial journeys as self-employed professionals.

Graduate Schools Most Frequently Attended by Reed Alumni

Explore the renowned institutions where Reed graduates continue their education. The table below shows where Reedies have earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Juris Doctor (JD) degree, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and Doctor of Medicine (MD), based on the 2022 alumni database.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)	Juris Doctor (JD)	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)	Doctor Of Medicine (MD)
The University of Chicago	Lewis & Clark Law School	University of California, Berkeley	Oregon Health & Science University
Portland State University	University of California, Berkeley	University of Washington	University of Washington
Harvard University	University of Oregon	The University of Chicago	Washington University (St. Louis)
University of Washington	University of Washington	Stanford University	University of California, San Francisco
Columbia University	New York University	University of Oregon	Stanford University
University of Pennsylvania	The University of Chicago	Harvard University	Harvard University
Stanford University	Yale University	Cornell University	Case Western Reserve University
Yale University	Harvard University	Columbia University	Cornell University
University of California, Berkeley	University of California College of the Law, San Francisco	University of California, Los Angeles	Johns Hopkins University
University of Oregon	Cornell University	Yale University	University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of California, Los Angeles	Georgetown University	University of Wisconsin, Madison	University of Southern California

Awards and Fellowships Earned by Reed College Graduates

From prestigious fellowships to renowned grants, Reed alumni have garnered recognition for their exceptional contributions and endeavors.*

National Science Foundation Fellowships	191
Fulbright Students	117
Thomas J. Watson Fellows	72
Guggenheim Fellowships	61
Rhodes Scholars (second highest number from a liberal arts college)	32

Additional honors:

27 Reed alumni have been elected to the National Academies of Science, Medicine, or Engineering.
29 Reed alumni have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

*Based on the 2022 alumni database

From Community Learning to Community Engagement

Discover the story of Reed alum Hanna Dörnhofer ’16, who credits Reed’s focus on collaborative education for her success as a community engagement park ranger.