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Grinnell , IA
Grinnell College, located in Grinnell, Iowa, is a private liberal arts college renowned for its innovative curriculum, dedication to social justice, and commitment to individual intellectual growth. Founded in 1846, the college has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence and has consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Grinnell College offers a diverse range of majors and programs, allowing students to explore their interests and pursue a well-rounded education.
At Grinnell, the focus is not just on academics but also on creating a vibrant and inclusive community. The college places a strong emphasis on social responsibility, encouraging students to become active citizens and advocates for positive change. Grinnell supports various initiatives and organizations that promote diversity and equity, fostering an environment that values different perspectives and backgrounds.
Grinnell College's distinctive curriculum, known as the Grinnell Plan, promotes interdisciplinary learning and encourages students to take charge of their education. The Plan offers a flexible course structure, allowing students to design their own course of study and engage in meaningful research, internships, and off-campus study opportunities. This empowers students to explore their passions, pursue independent projects, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will serve them well beyond college.
In conclusion, Grinnell College stands as a remarkable institution that blends academic rigor with a commitment to social justice and individual growth. With its distinguished faculty, strong sense of community, and innovative curriculum, the college provides students with an exceptional liberal arts education. Grinnell's emphasis on inclusivity, experiential learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary approaches ensures that students leave the college prepared to make a positive impact in their chosen fields and contribute meaningfully to society.
Located in Grinnell, IA and set in a rural environment, Grinnell College is a private four-year college. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 14%. The freshman retention rate at Grinnell College is 93% and the six-year graduation rate is 88%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is January 15.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about Grinnell College.
Quick Facts
1,788
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$71,788
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
88%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Read on to learn some relevant information about admission policy and requirements at Grinnell College.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,416 in 2025. Grinnell College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unparalleled educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 29% and ACT scores 21%. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 89.1, 9.8 between 24-29 and 1.1 in the range between 18-23.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 724 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 744.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is January 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Grinnell College was 93%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 88%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Grinnell College in 2025 was 1,788.
The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,788, 363 of which were international students. 8 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 789 male and 940 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 168 Asian students and 81 Afro-American students in 2025. 151 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 111 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 16 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some important facts on Grinnell College costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Grinnell College estimated tuition fees.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $71,788 in 2025. As this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $558 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to spend about $800 for books and supplies during their time at Grinnell College.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Grinnell College was $17,348 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $8,112, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $8,112.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 71,788 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,348 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 89,936 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial aid for students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Grinnell College, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 298 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students added up to $66,483.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 1,129 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Grinnell College is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 1,129. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $2,881,060, and state $356,069. The students of Grinnell College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $65,286,291, and external in the amount of $830,634.
$21,305
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 161 students overall (including freshmen) at Grinnell College in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 59 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $10,472,108. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,880,396 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Grinnell College was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 218 teachers at this school.
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Grinnell College: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at Grinnell College.
Its campus spans 120 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Grinnell College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Grinnell College has a number of services necessary for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Grinnell College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Grinnell College.
Career Counselling
There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 64,400 USD.
$64,400
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA.
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Grinnell College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 71,788 USD per academic year for Grinnell College.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Grinnell College is 14%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Grinnell College is 93%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.