Campus Identity
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. Lake Red Rock is about 28 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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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. Lake Red Rock is about 28 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Grinnell College is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NCAA D3 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 43 miles from Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc..
Athletics
NCAA D3
Midwest
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Town setting
Weather
Cold Climate
40°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Grinnell College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Inc., 43 miles away. All are within 105 miles of campus.
Illinois
Nearby Lake
Lake Red Rock is 28 miles from campus, giving Grinnell College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Lake Red Rock
Lake access within 28.0 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Grinnell, IA
Grinnell has a cool climate, with winters averaging 19°F in Jan and summers peaking around 73°F in Jul.
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
Grinnell College in IA earns a composite safety score of 40/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
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
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $68,106 |
| Fees | $492 |
| Room & Board | $16,842 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $85,440 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
31 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
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 2024-25 academic year, Grinnell College charges $68,106/year in tuition. Including room and board ($16,842/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $58,648/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,648/year — what students actually pay. 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), avg net price ($17,648/year after aid), campus culture in Grinnell, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Grinnell College against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Grinnell College directly for the most current information.
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