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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.
Grinnell College is a private four-year college located in Grinnell, IA and set in a rural environment. This academic institution uses 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. The transfer application deadline is January 15.
Learn more about what Grinnell College has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
1,788
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$67,560
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
88%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. What are the admission requirements for Grinnell College?
According to the most recent 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 for the applicants who choose 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 unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
29% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 21% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. The percent of freshmen 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 newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 744.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to this school is January 15. For transfer students, the application deadline is January 15.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Grinnell College was 93%, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 88%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. 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
In 2025, the institution enrolled 1,788 students.
The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,788, 363 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 8.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 789 male and 940 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 168, while the number of African American students was 81. 151 undergrads at this school identified 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, as well as 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 consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $67,560 in 2025. Since Grinnell College is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $546.
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. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Grinnell College was $16,842 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 reached $7,876 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $7,876.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 67,560 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,842 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 85,202 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find 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 amount of financial aid given to students was $66,483.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,129 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Grinnell College is available to international students. The total 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 aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the 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.
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
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. This school has recently reported to have 218 faculty members.
Campus Life
Not everything at Grinnell College is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus 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.
If acting is an interest of yours, there is a drama club you can join. For students looking to explore 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 secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. 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. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 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, the tuition for Grinnell College is 67,560 USD a year.
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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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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Grinnell College is 14%.
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The most recent reported 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.
