Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA · Town (remote)
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 14.5%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 9,988
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 1,266
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 457
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 36%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 14%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 11%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 700–750
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 710–790
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 31–34
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 30% / 21%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $83,440
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,106
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,106
- Median debt at graduation
- $17,500
- Students with federal loans
- 13%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 88%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 93%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $33,404
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $62,830
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 1,729
- Graduate students
- —
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 9 : 1
- Women
- 54%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 18%
- Full-time faculty
- 81%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Anne Harris
- Main phone
- (641) 269-4000
- Address
- 1121 Park Street, Grinnell, IA 50112-1690
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 15 | mid-late December |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 5 | early February |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | late March/early April |
- Apply with
- Common App, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- Free
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 1 optional short answer (200–450 words)
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 2 teachers
- Interview
- evaluative optional
Testing: Must state by deadline whether submitting scores; choice can't change later
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: Merit scholarships; Dec 1 priority deadline, no separate application
Early rounds & waitlist (2024-2025)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 34.2% (283 of 828)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 2,021 / 1,180 / 36
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2024-2025: grinnell.edu, grinnell.edu, grinnell.edu, grinnell.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.