Grinnell College
About Grinnell College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa. Highly selective with an 11% acceptance rate, it is known for its open curriculum, computer science, economics, and sciences, with one of the largest per-student endowments in the nation.
Founded
1846
Location
Grinnell, Iowa
Students
1,729
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
14.5%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
88.1%
Above national average
Tuition
$68,106
Per year
Avg Net Price
$17,648
After financial aid
SAT Average
1486
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$62,830
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Highly Selective
About 7 students apply for every seat
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
Free
Early
Nov 15
Regular
Jan 15
Grinnell College admits about 14.5% of applicants, with an average SAT around 1486. Strong academics are a must, and your essays and activities will make the difference.
SAT Scores
1486/ 1600
ACT Scores
32/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
88.1% complete their degree within six years
Retention
92.6%
4-Year Grad
82%
6-Year Grad
87%
Teaching Quality
9:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
81.5%
$/Student
$32.9K
Class Size
Small
82% of students graduate on time, and 81.5% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$68,106
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$16,842
Books & Supplies
$800
Total Cost of Attendance
$83,440
After Financial Aid
$17,648
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$9,970
Receive Grants
17.9%
Take Loans
12.7%
Don't let the $68,106 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $17,648 after financial aid, a 74% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $9,970.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Grinnell College fund their education.
While in School
17.9%
Get Grants
Free money
12.7%
Take Loans
Must repay
$74,915
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$17,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$186/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 12.7% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $17,500. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Grinnell College.
Gender
54.4%
Female
46%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
1,729
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
17.6%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.2%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (54% women, 46% men). 17.6% are first-generation college students. 21% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Town: Remote
Campus Quick Facts
1,729
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Liberal Arts
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
No
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Grinnell College fields 12 varsity teams with 580 student athletes, about 34% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
Midwest
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Track and Field (Indoor)
Student Athletes
580
34% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
56% / 44%
327
Men
253
Women
10
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Grinnell Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$62,830
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$84K
62 grads
1yr Earnings
Economics
$47K
54 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$37K
43 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$37K
40 grads
1yr Earnings
Sociology
$28K
36 grads
1yr Earnings
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
$39K
35 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $49K at six years, $46K at eight, and $63K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Grinnell College
What is the acceptance rate at Grinnell College?▾
How much does Grinnell College cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Grinnell College?▾
How much do Grinnell College graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.