Grinnell College logo

Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA·Private·www.grinnell.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3

Grinnell College is a small private nonprofit college in Grinnell, IA. Approximately 1,729 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 15% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Grinnell College is a small private nonprofit college in Grinnell, IA. Approximately 1,729 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 15% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

15%
Acceptance Rate
9,758 applications
33
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 31–34
$58,156
In-State Tuition
+$492 fees
$58,156
Out-of-State Tuition
+$492 fees
$16,842
Room & Board
21 meals/week
1,729
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
31%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D3
Athletics
Midwest
Selectivity15% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

700730750

SAT Math

710760790

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D3

Midwest

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Weather

Cold Climate

40°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

66 mi away
35 skiable acres4 lifts
28 skiable acres6 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Grinnell, IA

19°Jan23°Feb35°Mar47°Apr59°May69°Jun73°Jul70°Aug63°Sep50°Oct37°Nov25°Dec

Station: GRINNELL 3 SW · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

40/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety374839
37/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
48/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
39/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$58,156
Fees
$492
Room & Board
$16,842
Total
$75,490
Meal Plan: 21 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

31 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Computer ScienceBachelor's
62 grads/yr$109,892
EconomicsBachelor's
54 grads/yr$110,724
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
43 grads/yr$56,275
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
40 grads/yr$68,518
SociologyBachelor's
36 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Economics
Bachelor's54 grads$110,724
Computer Science
Bachelor's62 grads$109,892
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's40 grads$68,518
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor's$59,638
Research and Experimental Psychology
Bachelor's24 grads$57,752
Biology, General
Bachelor's43 grads$56,275
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Bachelor's23 grads$54,983
History
Bachelor's12 grads$54,703
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Bachelor's35 grads$53,105
English Language and Literature, General
Bachelor's34 grads$36,854

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Grinnell College located?

Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA. The main campus address is 1121 Park Street, Grinnell, IA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Grinnell College?

Grinnell College has an acceptance rate of 15%, making it highly selective. Out of 9,758 applicants, 1,416 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,729 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Grinnell College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Grinnell College scored between 31 and 34 on the ACT, with a median of 33. About 21% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Grinnell College?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Grinnell College charges $58,156/year in tuition. Including room and board ($16,842/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $58,648/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Grinnell College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Grinnell College have college sports?

Yes — Grinnell College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Midwest. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Grinnell College the right fit for me?

Whether Grinnell College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (15% admit rate), cost ($58,156/year out-of-state), campus culture in Grinnell, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Grinnell College against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Grinnell College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Grinnell, IA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Midwest
School Year Weather
Cold · 40°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
40/100
Nearest Airport
Ottumwa, IA (OTM) · 47 mialso DSM (51 mi), CID (53 mi)

Location

Grinnell, IA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.