Grinnell vs. Amherst

Comparable Facts

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

Amherst College is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (1,914 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Grinnell vs. Amherst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or Amherst? 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 Amherst College than Grinnell ($19,049 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 8.4% lower than at Amherst College ($16,842 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grinnell (about $2,374 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Amherst than at Grinnell College (about $2,374 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $68,106.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Amherst College (94% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 39.8% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($68,591 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Amherst Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or Amherst? 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 Amherst and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 60 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Amherst College 1490/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Amherst College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Amherst - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Grinnell vs. Amherst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and Amherst? 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).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $22,500 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $195 lower median loan debt than Grinnell graduates ($12,975 vs. $13,170).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Grinnell graduates ($134 vs. $136).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.