April 7, 2026
Press Release
WASHINGTON – Reed College is ranked No. 7 among small colleges on the Peace Corps’ 2026 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list.
During the past fiscal year, nine Reedies served in nine countries around the world, including the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Lesotho, Moldova, Morocco, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, and Togo.
“We are grateful to partner with colleges and universities across the nation who instill the value of national service in their students, inspiring them to pursue their purpose post-graduation,” said Peace Corps acting Director Richard E. Swarttz. “In more than 60 countries, Peace Corps volunteers are working side by side with communities helping to address real needs through agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth in development projects.
Since the Peace Corps’ founding in 1961, 271 Reed alumni have served abroad as volunteers.
“It is inspiring to see Reed alumni engaging deeply with communities around the world through Peace Corps service. This work reflects a core Reed commitment—to combine intellectual rigor with meaningful action—and demonstrates how our graduates bring curiosity, humility, and purpose to complex global challenges,” said Reed College President Audrey Bilger. “We are proud of the lasting impact Reedies are making and the relationships they build through service.”
To better reflect the combined contributions of volunteers who serve traditional 27-month assignments and Peace Corps Response volunteers who serve for 6–12 months, the Peace Corps counted alumni volunteers who served at any point during the 2025 fiscal year for the 2026 rankings. Previously, colleges and universities were ranked on a one-day annual headcount of volunteers on the last day of the fiscal year (September 30). Rankings are calculated based on fiscal year 2025 data, as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.
Peace Corps volunteers collaborate with community members on locally prioritized projects, gaining skills and experience while fostering mutual understanding and promoting American values. Countries and communities around the world continue to partner with the Peace Corps as the agency aspires to attract and support 8,000 volunteers in service by September 30, 2030. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit peacecorps.gov to learn more about the Peace Corps and apply for service.
“Sixty-five years after our founding, the Peace Corps is still going strong,” Swarttz added. “Peace Corps service is still the toughest job you’ll ever love, and we want Americans of all backgrounds to challenge themselves to grow personally and professionally—as a volunteer.”
About the Peace Corps
The U.S. Government's premier international volunteering agency, the Peace Corps sends passionate and skilled Americans abroad to collaborate on projects that advance both American and host country priorities. This year, the agency commemorates 65 years of promoting world peace and friendship through volunteer service while partnering with America250 to encourage more Americans to give back. Since 1961, the Peace Corps has played a vital role in advancing U.S. global engagement through the work of close to 250,000 volunteers serving in 144 host countries. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow the agency on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
About Reed College
Founded in 1908 in southeast Portland, Oregon, Reed College is a coeducational, independent liberal arts and sciences college. Referred to as one of the most intellectual colleges in the country, Reed is known for its high standards of scholarly practice, creative thinking, and engaged citizenship.
Reed College is devoted to the intrinsic value of intellectual pursuit and is governed by the highest standards of scholarly practice, critical thought, and creativity. Its undergraduate program of study, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, is demanding and intense and balances breadth of knowledge across the curriculum with depth of knowledge in a particular field of study. The goal of a Reed education is that students learn and demonstrate rigor and independence in their habits of thought, inquiry, and expression.