Coe College vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

Compare Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA with Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grinnell College is larger than Coe College based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,195 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Coe College is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Grinnell College is in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Coe College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Coe College 11:1; Grinnell College 9:1.

Coe College vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coe College or Grinnell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Coe College than Grinnell ($20,864 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Coe College are 30% lower than at Grinnell College ($11,790 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 24.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Coe College (about $13,440 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $54,666.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Grinnell than at Coe College (about $13,440 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $54,666.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coe College than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Coe College students ($49,077 vs. $46,468).

Coe College vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Coe College or Grinnell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Grinnell and Coe College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 300 points higher than at Coe College (1180).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Coe College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coe College 1070/1290; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coe College 23/29; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coe College - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Coe College Mar 1, 2027; Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Coe College (3.74).
• Coe College has a higher acceptance rate (64%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.5% at Coe College vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Coe College vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coe College and Grinnell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Coe College's (69%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Coe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $14,935 lower median loan debt than Coe College graduates ($13,170 vs. $28,105).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $154 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coe College graduates ($136 vs. $290).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Coe College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.